Labour MPs reject protests on hours
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Labour MPs were last night determined to press ahead with the introduction of family-friendly hours in the Commons despite fierce protests by the Tories.
Labour MPs were last night determined to press ahead with the introduction of family-friendly hours in the Commons despite fierce protests by the Tories.
Backbenchers, many of them women, were determined to change parliamentary working hours and support a range of reforms which will end late-night sittings. However, the Tories were furious about the changes, claiming that they undermined Parliament and its role in scrutinising the executive.
The proposals put forward by the Modernisation Committee will mean that all debates are timetabled, allowing MPs to go home at 10pm every night and to register their vote the next day. After the 10pm watershed, MPs can debate secondary legislation until any time in the early hours, but such debates will end without a vote. MPs can return the next day to write their vote into a ledger, with the result being held over until the following Wednesday.
Leading protests from furious Tory benches, Eric Forth, MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, claimed the "radical and fundamental" changes proposed would "end the traditional role of the House of Commons".
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments