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| Jo Swinson pushes for proxy Commons votes after 'error' breaks MPs' pact | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Theresa May is under pressure to give MPs a say on proxy voting before the summer recess after the Conservatives broke a “pairing” pact with an opposition MP who was on maternity leave. | Theresa May is under pressure to give MPs a say on proxy voting before the summer recess after the Conservatives broke a “pairing” pact with an opposition MP who was on maternity leave. |
| Senior Conservatives apologised after they were accused of “cheating” during critical Brexit votes on Tuesday, one of which the prime minister won by just six votes, by breaking a pact with Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson. | Senior Conservatives apologised after they were accused of “cheating” during critical Brexit votes on Tuesday, one of which the prime minister won by just six votes, by breaking a pact with Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson. |
| Under the formal arrangement, Tory chairman Brandon Lewis had agreed not to vote to cancel out the fact that Swinson was at home with her three-week-old baby. But he then took part in two crunch votes on the government’s Brexit trade plans. | Under the formal arrangement, Tory chairman Brandon Lewis had agreed not to vote to cancel out the fact that Swinson was at home with her three-week-old baby. But he then took part in two crunch votes on the government’s Brexit trade plans. |
| Julian Smith, chief whip, said Lewis had been asked to vote “in error” while the Tory chairman said it had been an “honest mistake” by his party’s whips. Both men apologised for the breach. | Julian Smith, chief whip, said Lewis had been asked to vote “in error” while the Tory chairman said it had been an “honest mistake” by his party’s whips. Both men apologised for the breach. |
| Swinson, who later told party members in an email that she was “lost for words” and then “angry”, said it was now time to give MPs a vote on allowing new parents to nominate a proxy vote on their behalf. She tweeted: “Enough of this. Instead of closing parliament early, let the Commons decide on proxy voting next week – with binding motions – and put an end to this charade.” | |
| Senior female politicians including Labour’s Harriet Harman are among those who have been pushing for a formal parental leave system for MPs. The Commons backed the principle in March. | Senior female politicians including Labour’s Harriet Harman are among those who have been pushing for a formal parental leave system for MPs. The Commons backed the principle in March. |
| The cross-party procedure committee has already set out how one could be set up, including proxy voting for MPs who are absent after giving birth or through illness, but no action has been taken yet. | The cross-party procedure committee has already set out how one could be set up, including proxy voting for MPs who are absent after giving birth or through illness, but no action has been taken yet. |
| Commons leader Andrea Leadsom is expected to address an urgent question from MPs on the issue on Wednesday and while she is understood to be committed to the idea of parental leave for MPs, she is still considering the proposals. | Commons leader Andrea Leadsom is expected to address an urgent question from MPs on the issue on Wednesday and while she is understood to be committed to the idea of parental leave for MPs, she is still considering the proposals. |
| Harman tweeted: “Theresa May must give Commons vote on proxy voting #babyleave motion drafted by procedure committee. NOT general, unamendable motion to kick it into long grass!” | Harman tweeted: “Theresa May must give Commons vote on proxy voting #babyleave motion drafted by procedure committee. NOT general, unamendable motion to kick it into long grass!” |
| After the trade bill vote, a furious Swinson tweeted: “Just how low will your govt stoop Theresa May. When Andrea Leadsom delayed proxy voting motions, she *assured* those of us who were pregnant that we would be paired when necessary. Today your government broke that agreement. Desperate stuff.” | After the trade bill vote, a furious Swinson tweeted: “Just how low will your govt stoop Theresa May. When Andrea Leadsom delayed proxy voting motions, she *assured* those of us who were pregnant that we would be paired when necessary. Today your government broke that agreement. Desperate stuff.” |
| Lewis responsed: “I’m sorry Jo. I think it was an honest mistake made by the whips in fast-moving circumstances. I know how important the pair is to everyone, especially new parents, and I apologise.” | Lewis responsed: “I’m sorry Jo. I think it was an honest mistake made by the whips in fast-moving circumstances. I know how important the pair is to everyone, especially new parents, and I apologise.” |
| Smith, whose whips office was responsible for the breach, added: “I am v sorry - I spoke to your CW [chief whip] earlier. A mistake – we pair consistently 4 pregnancy pairs – Brandon Lewis was asked to vote in error.” | Smith, whose whips office was responsible for the breach, added: “I am v sorry - I spoke to your CW [chief whip] earlier. A mistake – we pair consistently 4 pregnancy pairs – Brandon Lewis was asked to vote in error.” |
| MPs across the Commons were angered by the breach. Dr Sarah Wollaston, a leading Tory remainer who voted against the government, asked: “Who is taking responsibility for failing to honour the pairing agreement for Jo Swinson who is on maternity leave? More than just an extension of the other heavy-handed tactics on display, it disrespects women and why maternity leave matters.” | MPs across the Commons were angered by the breach. Dr Sarah Wollaston, a leading Tory remainer who voted against the government, asked: “Who is taking responsibility for failing to honour the pairing agreement for Jo Swinson who is on maternity leave? More than just an extension of the other heavy-handed tactics on display, it disrespects women and why maternity leave matters.” |
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