Coronavirus, Friday 5 June

Fear of a virus has transformed the lives of our MPs and the workings of parliament. The new system of government at Westminster is unique in its two centuries' history.

All 650 members were ordered back to work at Westminster this week but over two hundred of them can't make it. They are either unable to do so, having to stay at home through ill health or to shield vulnerable relatives or themselves.

For the past few weeks we have had a virtual parliament with business conducted via internet. Now it is far from business as usual. Instead of a full house, the number of members able to work there has been cut to fifty at a time, with members coming and going, almost as if on shifts. 

The speaker conducts proceedings in the House, calling on  members at home to take part in debates. The trouble comes when there are votes - divisions. In normal times, members leave the chamber to go into division lobbies to cast their votes, the figures given at the Table of the House by a teller who passes them to the Speaker to formally announce the result.

The Conga parliament - MPs queue in Westminster Hall

The first time the new system was introduced was a shambles. Members had to queue in the hot sun from outside the building for forty minutes, in a kilometre-long queue thanks to the regulation two metres distancing.

The Conga finally reaches the chamber

They then returned, stood at the despatch box and turned right or left to signify their vote. It was utter confusion with one MP fainting in the heat. It took more than twice as long as the normal system.

And it caused uproar, with scathing criticism from members. 
The stay-at-home cohort complained that not being able to vote and serve their constituents was a violation of their duty and rights. 

Two days later the government conceded, allowing them to vote by proxy.

The press has joined in the condemnation. Hannah White, writing in the Guardian, said members, unable to return to Westminster as ordered, faced a stark choice - risking  their lives or being unable to represent their constituents. 

Since its first day, January 22, 1801, the UK parliament's lower Chamber has always been a rumbustious place, alive with passion and drama. The original parliament was too crowded from the start, with 658 members - 558 from the former Great Britain parliament  and 100 members from Ireland. Today, due to that virus, it has changed beyond belief. A shadow of its normal self. And no one likes it, members or public.

The crescendo of  anger is increasing, the government being urged to undo the damage it has caused.  But, will they listen?