Is Rees-Mogg seeking to see the return of only English PMs?

Unlike many commentators I have not been particularly  impressed with Sir Keir Starmer on Prime Minister Questions feeling that the it is the absence  of The roar of yah-boo politics that normally takes place in the house which has  transformed PMQs for now. that has situated him rather than his skills. at the dispatch box.


Of course being an eminent lawyer who made Queen’s Counsel at 39, it is more like a cross examination in the courts and  Prime Minster Johnson has found it harder to evase answering the questions (even lying, trying to turn defence into attack when not backed up by the braying mob from his pwn MPs. I was going to say back benches but the whole lot of them are just as bad including government  ministers.

For now Johnson has been exposed as  the lying ,. blustering,  ill prepared, out of his depth figure he rally is.

Small wonder yesterday that , Jacob Rees-Mogg announced that the Commons’ ‘virtual Parliament’ set-up – which allows MPs to meet and vote remotely over video-link – will be scrapped from the end of May, to encourage MPs to turn up.

It may also be a move to enhance the government's plan to force  the other legislatures to toe its  line , by  ramping up the split over how to ease the locdown by giving the impression that the measures in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are to harsh and they should be following Englnd especially when it comes to travelling.


Because However, Welsh MPs could still be facing a travel ban then, while Scottish government and Northern Ireland executive’s advice to ‘stay at home’ could also still be in place. That means Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland MPs could face being effectively locked out of democracy.

Left Foot Forward reports that 

On Tuesday, Jacob Rees-Mogg announced that the Commons’ ‘virtual Parliament’ set-up – which allows MPs to meet and vote remotely over video-link – will be scrapped from the end of May, to encourage MPs to turn up.However, Welsh MPs could still be facing a travel ban then, while Scottish government and Northern Ireland executive’s advice to ‘stay at home’ could also still be in place. That means Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland MPs could face being effectively locked out of democracy.
When challenged on this at the Westminster lobby, the PM’s spokesman responded: “That’s a matter for them”.Welsh figures have accused No 10 of a dismissive, cavalier response – with the Tories appearing like they’re trying to lock Welsh and Scottish MPs out of Parliament.
Plaid Cymru’s Chief Whip, Jonathan Edwards MP told Left Foot Forward:“The great irony is it’s the Conservative and Unionist party that is breaking up the UK. It first takes England in a different direction to the three other nations of the UK and now is trying to force Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish MPs to travel, when our respective governments are advising against it on public health grounds.
“Yet again it shows Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are an afterthought. It’s not only putting MPs’ safety at risk, it is the House staff and the general public as well. In fact MPs’ travelling back and forth between Westminster and their constituencies may well become super-spreaders of Covid.
SNP Shadow Leader of the Commons Tommy Sheppard MP said:“Tory moves to stop virtual participation at Westminster would create an unnecessary risk of infection in our communities – and could effectively lock Scotland out of Parliament.
“The clear message in Scotland is ‘stay home to protect the NHS and save lives’. The option of virtual participation must remain so Scotland’s MPs can continue to hold the UK government to account and represent our constituents safely.
“Requiring MPs to travel back and forth hundreds of miles across the UK would disrespect Scotland’s more cautious approach and risk spreading the virus in communities across the UK.
“If the Tories want to take a riskier approach in England that is their right – but they must respect the different rules in each of the four nations by ensuring virtual participation continues.”
Plaid Cymru’s Jonathan Edwards MP added:“It was only a few weeks ago that the Prime Minister almost died from this disease and now they want to cram us all back into Parliament. It is as short sighted as it is reckless.
“We can work from home as has been proved by the last few weeks, so we should. That is what the expert guidance says. Jacob Rees Mogg is not an expert in public health, and it is only when leading public health experts say it is safe will we vote to bring back physical proceedings. If the British Government tries to change things before that point they will be actively risking many lives, in the hope a few cheering Tories on the back benches might save their blushes in the Chamber.”
Asked again, the PM’s spokesman suggested ‘pairing arrangements’ – where MPs unable to vote are paired with an MP from the ‘other’ side – so they both abstain. However, MPs are now able to vote remotely – a process that could prove far more reliable than pairing (there have been cases of MPs breaking their abstention promises).
Pressed, the PM’s spokesman said: “It’s vital that Parliament can continue to scrutinise govt and legislate to support coronavirus response. Existing arrangements limit some of these functions.”
LFF comment: Wouldn’t locking Welsh and Scottish MPs out of democracy ‘limit scrutiny’? Something tells us these plans to end the virtual Parliament aren’t about boosting scrutiny at all: more like a ploy to appear as if politics is back to ‘business as usual’ – and ensure the reforms made in Parliament during this pandemic do not stick.Virtual proceedings are just starting to find their feet – and are working pretty well. Are No 10 spooked by the threat of a good example?…

Rees Mogg desperation to  get  his PM's back on the government supporting the Prime Monster by cat calling and abusive behaviour also seems to be designed to break the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments legislation , forbidding non essential  travel and putting the onus on Welsh and Scottish MPs to obey English law rather than their own.

It may well be  there has been an element of scrutiny lost but yesterday PMQ when the Prime Minster was caught out over care homes , suggests otherwise.

The "Virtual Parliament"  which had ben set up and operated successfully in a very short time has proved MPs do not necessarily have to be in the bloody face all the time, rather than ending it we should consider how to use it more often , indeed as an alternative to spending billions on the   refurbishmentof the parliament  in london.