Proxy Voting May Also Be in the Hon
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913 Points of Order 13 SEPTEMBER 2018 914 Mr Speaker: It is possible that that would result. It Proxy Voting may also be in the hon. Gentleman’s mind in making that perfectly reasonable suggestion that if there were 1.13 pm such a regular opportunity, it would give him the chance to show what a thoroughly agreeable fellow he can be. The Leader of the House of Commons (Andrea Leadsom): [Interruption.] I think we will leave it there for today. I I beg to move, am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his characteristic That this House has considered proxy voting in the House of ingenuity and to colleagues for their points of order. Commons. Today’simportant debate has been eagerly anticipated by a number of Members across the House. It was, of course, scheduled for before the summer recess, but it was right that a statement on a matter of national security took precedence on that day. I am pleased, however, that we are able to hear the views of the House today, and consider the many issues surrounding the matter. I have made my personal commitment clear—I want a House of Commons suited to our times. I pay tribute to all MPs who have helped to progress this important issue. Members of all parties have shown true commitment to making positive changes in Parliament. In particular, the right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mrs Miller) are vocal advocates of this matter. I also thank my hon. Friend the Member for Broxbourne (Mr Walker) the Chair of the Procedure Committee, who has had to cancel several important engagements to be here for the debate today, and his fellow Committee members for their work and constructive engagement. Over the past year, we have made great progress in modernising and opening up our Parliament for future generations. We have also debated some of the most important issues of our time, and that is where we see Parliament at its best. In this historic Session, we have sought to stamp out bullying and harassment by establishing the new independent complaints and grievance policy to ensure that everyone who works here is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. As a House, we made the historic decision to restore the Palace of Westminster. That will create a workplace that is safe, accessible and fit for the 21st century while continuing to embrace the conventions and traditions of the House so that future generations can enjoy this place for many centuries to come. We have prioritised ensuring that the House has the chance to debate the biggest issues that the country faces, whether on Brexit or the Government’s legislative programme, on which we have introduced 38 Bills. Twenty-three of them have already received Royal Assent. The almost 280 hours spent by Parliament in debating the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that Parliament plays a central role as we leave the EU. Throughout this year,we have been celebrating 100 years of women’s suffrage and I have been delighted to meet groups around the country to make the case for our parliamentary democracy.Every day, we are encouraging more women to engage in politics, as well as celebrating the great strides we have made in the past century, even though we all know there is still so much more to do. I have carefully considered the issue before us today, and spent time speaking to colleagues of all parties. I take this opportunity to say again that my door is always open if Members want to make further representations to me on how we can make this work. We must make sure that we get this right the first time 915 Proxy Voting 13 SEPTEMBER 2018 Proxy Voting 916 [Andrea Leadsom] points to make, what are the merits of the existing arrangements versus a new system? Pairing and nodding and look at all the options to ensure that new mothers through can offer the flexibility and, importantly, the and fathers can effectively represent their constituents, privacy as to their personal circumstances that many while at the same time allowing them to secure that vital Members are looking for. Although this system has early bond with their babies. been rightly criticised in recent months, there is scope to During the BackBench Business debate on the matter make changes to existing systems to ensure that they are earlier this year, I was pleased to be able to set out my more transparent and fit for purpose. commitment to championing early-years attachment, Secondly, I would welcome views on the range of which has been a personal priority for me for decades. I approaches, including, as I have mentioned, whether have worked with a number of charities on this very more formalised and transparent pairing or nodding important issue and I am pleased to chair an inter- through might be a simpler and more workable solution. ministerial group to look at what more support we can I note, for example, that on 18 July the shadow Leader provide for families in the perinatal period. I say to all of the House made the case that colleagues in this House: make no mistake, I am committed “proxy voting for those on baby leave could be introduced today to ensuring that the Government do all they can to without the need for debate through public agreement by all allow new parents to spend that vital early time with parties to nod through those on baby leave for every Division”.— their babies. [Official Report, 18 July 2018; Vol. 645, c. 430.] As I said in last week’s business questions, today is an Thirdly, I would welcome views on whether there is opportunity for all views to be heard. While I commend risk in having both a system of proxy voting and other the desire of some Members to introduce a substantive existing arrangements running in parallel, and, indeed, motion today, this will be a significant change to our whether that could have unintended consequences. Would voting practices and procedures, whereby Members, for a system of choice create an obligation to choose the the first time ever, will not have to be present to vote. I complete transparency of nominating a proxy, when in have confirmed that we will bring forward a substantive fact some Members may wish to have the privacy not to motion on the matter, but we must move forward disclose publicly why they are absent—for example, if responsibly,having had the fullest opportunity to consider there were complications with a pregnancy or, of course, all the implications. in instances of bereavement? Proxy voting will be a profound change to the procedures Fourthly, Members of Parliament are office-holders, of this House, so we must get it right to ensure robust not employees. Whereas many employees have line voting practice for generations to come. If we take this managers, Members have 75,000-odd voters to answer significant step now, in my view, we will have a fairer, to. I do not mean 75,000 odd voters; I mean 75,000-odd more inclusive Parliament for future generations. voters, just to be clear. Many employees can arrange Following the debate earlier this year, the Procedure cover if they go on leave or on holiday, but if a Member Committee produced a report that helpfully outlined misses a vote in Parliament, no one else can take their how proxy voting could work in practice and how such place. So any change in voting procedures needs to a change in procedure could be facilitated through an recognise the unique employment status of a Member amendment to Standing Orders. However,the Committee of Parliament. recognised that the proposals also included a number of Finally, the need for clarity will be vital. Avoiding outstanding questions, which I hope we can consider confusion or error would require advance notice to the carefully today. House, meaning that the flexibility to decide at the last First, the Procedure Committee’s report did not seek minute to attend a vote or, indeed, to change one’s vote to evaluate the particular merits of proxy voting or may not be available to that Member—and of course, if indeed to compare it with other reforms that could a Member chooses a proxy who is unable to attend on facilitate baby leave for Members. That is not a criticism. their behalf, not only is their vote lost. Without a robust The Committee was, after all, responding to the resolution voting system, we risk undermining parliamentary of the House. However, if the House is to take forward democracy at its core. such a significant change properly, it is worth airing all I really, genuinely look forward to listening to today’s the options and their consequences, including potential debate. Having considered the views of the House, the unintended consequences. Government will then bring forward a substantive motion In particular, I would welcome views from Members as soon as possible. It is my intention, and the intention on whether proxy voting should just be limited to new of many Members in all parts of this House, to make parents, and whether we are giving the correct support Parliament as family-friendly and accessible as it can to those who suffer the heartbreak of losing a child. be. However, it is important that we do not compromise Consideration needs to be given to the types of business the integrity of the voting system through rushed or for which proxy voting should be available.