Over 100 MPs will go on holiday next week despite being ordered to stay in Parliament to vote on Brexit
MPs from all parties have defied an order to scrap their February break to work on Brexit in a move that has led some to claim the cancellation was just a PR stunt
AT least 100 MPs will go on holiday next week — despite their “half-term” break being scrapped.
They had been ordered to stay in Parliament to tackle the Brexit deadlock and sort through masses of crucial legislation.
But sources say Tory and Labour politicians are being “paired off” for hols so they don’t have to be at votes. Staff are still required to work in the Commons and staff its canteens next week.
PM’s Questions could now see one of the lowest attendances in modern times.
Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom cancelled the break last month amid fears about how ready the UK is for a March 29 Brexit.
Some MPs demanded refunds for booked holidays, but Parliament’s expenses watchdog refused.
Chief whip Julian Smith then promised those who want to “spend time with families” or who had arranged trips abroad could carry on unhindered.
Some now claim the cancellation was just a PR stunt.
MPs must submit slips to request absence. Priority will go to those with children.
As of last night, 50 Labour MPs and 50 Tories have had requests granted, along with a handful from smaller parties, sources told The Sun.
The Tory and Labour whips’ offices declined to comment.
Next week’s Commons schedule doesn’t include any major legislation. Instead, the Government will pass less controversial but crucial laws.
The Sun revealed yesterday there were still 458 statutory instruments, laws that transfer EU powers to ministers, to be passed before March 29.
But there are only 26 sitting days left, meaning they must be passed at a rate of 17 per day. In total MPs must scrutinise 9,000 legal documents before Brexit Day.
The Prospect trade union, which represents civil servants and some Parliamentary staff, said The Sun's revelations exposed the Government's decision to cancel recess as a sham.
Deputy General Secretary Garry Graham fumed: “Parliamentary staff will feel justifiable hard done by when they read about MPs being allowed to skip next week’s sitting of parliament, presumably so they can go skiing with their families. That so many have been slipped the whip exposes the real reason this recess has been cancelled; that this is nothing but a shallow PR stunt by the government to give the impression that it is not just running down the clock in an attempt to force through its second-rate Brexit deal.
“The people who are losing out are the parliamentary staff who have had to cancel leave and arrange alternative childcare at the last minute because of the government’s decision.
“MPs deserve time with their families, but so do staff who have been put under huge pressure by the government’s Brexit chaos."
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