Dr Jessica C. Smith presents the "Remotely Representative House" report
Parliament could lose its best chance to improve diversity amongst its MPs if it scraps the virtual working approaches brought in during the COVID-19 pandemic according to a new report, authored by Dr Jessica C. Smith from the University of Southampton.
The Remotely Representative House report, launched in February by the Centenary Action Group, advocates for the new ways of working, which has helped MPs to participate while balancing health, home, travel or constituency responsibilities, to be retained when needed.
Since the first wave of the pandemic MPs have been allowed to take part remotely in House of Commons proceedings to advocate on behalf of their constituents. At impressive speed the House of Commons put in place new ways of working that included asking oral questions of Ministers and the Prime Minister, participating in Select Committee meetings and report writing, and for a short period of time, voting remotely on legislation. The Prime Minister even attended PMQs virtually whilst isolating at home.
Dr Jessica C. Smith, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Southampton, said: “With vaccinations offering hope in 2021, The Remotely Representative House, asks the timely question: What lessons can be learnt from these new ways of parliamentary working? The virtues of continuing virtual participation in Parliament hold beyond this time of crisis.
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Dr Jessica C. Smith launched the report on 24th February at a virtual event with a panel of cross-party MPs. You can watch the event recording here