MPs who are pregnant or new mums will be able to vote by proxy from next week in historic change for House of Commons
The Government has been forced to bring about the change after Labour's Tulip Siddiq delayed her C-section and was brought into Parliament in a wheelchair so she could vote on the PM's Brexit deal
PROXY voting for pregnant MPs and new mums is being brought in by the Government in a historic change.
Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom yesterday confirmed the plans for a one-year trial to enable new parents to nominate a colleague to vote on their behalf.
It follows uproar that Labour’s Tulip Siddiq delayed her caeserean birth to vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal last week.
The rule change could be enforced after a vote next Monday.
But if only one MP objects it could severely delay the rule change.
Yesterday campaigner and Labour MP Jess Phillips pledged to “make a misery of the lives” of any MP who objects based on their “patriarchal, paternalistic, draconian, old-fashioned sensibilities”,.
Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom yesterday confirmed the motion will be brought forward for the Commons to “nod it through” on January 28.
She added: “If somebody objects then I will need to look at further measures, which I will do in very short order.
“But this is the quickest way to get it through.”
MPs have an agreed system in parliament to help MPs who are absent on baby leave or with serious ill-health.
They are given a “pair” with the opposing side who does not vote, meaning neither side has an additional advantage.
Ms Siddiq said she had delayed the birth of her child after Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson had her pair broken by Brandon Lewis during a crunch vote on Brexit last summer.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
The Conservative Party chair later apologised and said it was an “honest mistake”.
Labour MP Tulip Siddiq tweeted a photo of her watching the announcement being made in the Commons holding her six-day-old baby, Raphael.
She hailed the “momentous and overdue change”.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]