WITH further measures being announced to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and to protect lives, the SNP’s Westminster leader has demanded that the UK Government urgently strengthens virtual proceedings in Westminster.
As restrictions are announced in Scotland and other parts of the UK – including travel between to and from different parts of the UK – leader of the SNP in the House of Commons, MP Ian Blackford, warned that MPs were being put in an “impossible position” of following public health guidance and standing up for constituents at this critical time.
It comes as Brexit talks continue and there is still no clarity over any attempts to recall Parliament over a low deal or No Deal outcome – with the end of the transition period just more than one week away.
Blackford said: “With further difficult measures being announced to tackle the coronavirus crisis, it is clear that it cannot be business as usual in Westminster.
“The House of Commons is outdated and out-of-touch in many ways, but on fully virtual proceedings it must change immediately.
“The House of Commons falls under the strictest of tiers and the Prime Minister is looking for people not to be in a position to spread the virus.
“His government must then act upon that and ensure that Parliament functions virtually.
“Members must not be put in the impossible position of following public health guidance and face having the issues of their constituents shut out of Parliament. I urge the Prime Minister to take immediate steps to introduce fully virtual Parliament proceedings – including remote voting – to ensure MPs are not faced with any restrictions on what they are able to participate in.
“With still no clarity – even at this very, very late stage – over the details around a low deal or No-Deal Brexit or attempts to recall Parliament at the last minute, the Prime Minister must do the responsible thing.
“This is not about party politics, but about taking the right steps in these extremely challenging and unprecedented times.”
This comes as coronavirus figures in the UK rose by 35,928 yesterday, figures show.
This is almost double the number of Covid-19 cases recorded last Sunday.
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