What are the rules about bringing babies into the House of Commons?

England might be the mother of parliaments but we need to make sure that mothers – and fathers – can participate in politics without hindrance, writes Sean O’Grady

(Dave Brown)

Mr Speaker Hoyle, with a deft touch, burped the baby and took the wind out of what might have escalated into quite a tantrum between parliamentarians about bringing babies into the chamber.

Stella Creasy, Labour member for Walthamstow, has raised the issue, having been told off by the Commons authorities for taking her infant son Pip (all of 13 weeks) into a debate in Westminster Hall, which is like a more sedate version of the chamber itself at its calmest. Apart from asserting the rights of women, Creasy was also puzzled because she herself is among several female members – notably Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson some years back – who have previously been seen in the chamber with their new bairns, and nobody has objected before.

Both Ms Creasy and Tory MP Kemi Badenoch had their babes with them when they took their oaths as freshly elected members. The speaker himself, he told the house, was not privy to the advice given to Ms Creasy.

So there seems to be some inconsistency, and it is made more acute because there is no such thing as formal maternity (or paternity) leave for MPs, because they don’t have a conventional employer: only some administrative cover for constituency duties is allowed. For their legislative work, they have to be there in person. Yet small babies cannot be left without their mums for very long, and MPs need to be in the chamber, Westminster Hall, and committee rooms to do their work – though very young children are permitted in the voting lobbies.

The rules are in fact very clear, though it seems the speaker and deputy speakers have chosen to be easy-going about them. The relevant section in the pamphlet on rules and courtesies in the Commons states: “You may take babies or toddlers with you into the division lobby, and – if necessary to get to the division lobby – take them through the chamber. For safety reasons, you are asked to carry your child and not to bring pushchairs through the lobby. You should not take your seat in the chamber when accompanied by your child, nor stand at either end of the chamber, between divisions.”

In any case, Lindsay Hoyle has asked the chair of the Commons procedure committee, Karen Bradley, and her colleagues to review the current procedure and make recommendations. As the speaker says: “It is extremely important that parents of babies and young children are able to participate fully in the work of this house … However, rules have to be seen in context and they change with the times. I accept there are differing views on this matter, indeed I have been contacted by honourable members who have babies with a range of views.”

Having put the matter to bed, no doubt all concerned will be looking for a little peace and quiet, until a more permanent and family-friendly policy is fitted to the cradle of democracy. We’re all expecting now.