Keir Starmer says 1km queue of MPs was ‘shameful’ and breached equalities act

‘Members on all sides know this is completely unnecessary and unacceptable,’ says Labour leader

Sir Keir Starmer has said images of MPs queueing around the parliamentary estate were “shameful” and claimed incidents of members being left unable to vote provided a clear case of indirect discrimination.

Urging Boris Johnson to restore the so-called “hybrid parliament” and online voting, the Labour leader said members on all sides of the House of Commons had noted the “completely unnecessary and unacceptable” new measures.

In his response, the prime minister said he would now allow proxy voting for MPs who are shielding or self-isolating due to coronavirus – a U-turn on what the government was previously offering. And aides later said that proxy voting rights would also be extended to all MPs over the age of 70.

Speaking during prime minister’s questions, Sir Keir said: “The scenes yesterday of MPs queueing to vote and members being unable to vote were frankly shameful.”

“If any other employer behaved like this it would be a clear and obvious case of indirect discrimination under Equalities Act. A clear and obvious case,” he added.

His intervention came after Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, defended the government’s plan to end virtual voting – a system put in place in April during the the height of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK.

Mr Rees-Mogg insisted those MPs shielding or self-isolating due to Covid-19 would be able to continue to participate in parliamentary debates and questions virtually, but said the practice of online voting would come to an end.

During the first physical votes on Tuesday since ending the virtual parliament, MPs criticised “ludicrous scenes” and images that circulated on social media showing members in long queues stretching across the Palace of Westminster.

In his response to Sir Keir on Wednesday, Mr Johnson added: “He needs to consider what is going on throughout the country where ordinary people are getting used to queueing for long periods of time to do their shopping or whatever it happens to be.

“I must say I do not think it unreasonable that we should ask parliamentarians to come back to this place and do their job. I know it’s difficult, I apologise to colleagues for the inconvenience.

“I apologise to those with particular difficulties because they are shielding or they are elderly and it’s vital they should know the changes we are making today they should be able to vote by proxy.”

In a statement published yesterday, the Equality and Human Rights Commission also wrote to all MPs warning the proposals to end remote voting will “place at significant disadvantage MPs who are shielding or self-isolating”.

“It cannot be right for parliament to proceed without provision for remote participation when many elected representatives cannot attend in person,” they added.