Parliament will be meeting virtually for the first time in its history, here’s how it will work

Politics Explained: The Commons and Lords are going to make history – Jon Stone looks at how

MPs in the Commons on the day parliament rose early for Easter recess (AFP/Getty)

Parliament is back from its Easter recess on Tuesday 21 February, and for the first time in the 700-year history of the House of Commons, the meeting will be conducted virtually.

What’s the set-up going to be?

The Commons authorities have decided on a “hybrid” model for the sittings, with some MPs in the chamber and some tapping in to ask questions via videolink.

Up to 120 MPs will be able to quiz ministers via the chat app Zoom, while authorities say around 50 will be physically in the chamber, adhering to strict social distancing rules made possible by the sparser attendance.

This will allow events like Prime Minister’s Questions to take place and restore parliamentary scrutiny. Authorities say MPs calling in virtually will be treated the same as those present for the purposes of calling them to speak and “all members are encouraged to work virtually”.

The 120 MP limit shouldn’t be much of an issue: events like PMQs work with a finite list of MPs on the order paper during normal sittings anyway, and those not in the session can still watch. Representatives who want to ask a question will need to notify the Commons authorities and the list of backbenchers will be drawn up in the normal random way, alternating between the opposition and government.

Is this going to be secure?

The choice of Zoom as a platform is somewhat controversial: the service is not necessarily the right choice for meetings that need to be totally secure. India’s government is among those which has banned government users, though the system has added new security measures in recent days.

However, because the meeting of parliament is supposed to be visible to the public anyway, some concerns do not apply in this case, as long as non-MPs can be stopped from joining as participants and disrupting the sitting.

A recent update to the app means the person hosting the meeting has to approve people connecting, so this hopefully shouldn’t be a problem.

What about technical issues?

Anyone who has tried to use videoconferencing before knows that things can go wrong: perhaps a person hasn’t set up the app properly, or is having a problem with their internet connection. With lots of people working from home, a lot of strain is being placed on the UK’s internet infrastructure.

The House of Commons Commission has agreed that if an MP is called to speak “but cannot be heard or seen for technological reasons” they should be called later in the proceedings once their problem has been sorted out.

How are things like divisions and points of order going to work?

This is very much a trial run: currently the Commons authorities say there is no provision for interventions in debates or points of order, for technological reasons.

But if everything goes according to plan, then the Commons’ services department is going to “work to extend the model to debates on motions and legislation as quickly as possible”.

There is provision in Commons rules for something called a “deferred division” where MPs do not have to vote in person: it was most recently used in the indicative votes on Brexit where MPs voted by pen and paper, but could in theory be expanded to email.

Whose idea was this?

The measures were initiated by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the Commons.

MPs will need to formally approve the decision before it can take place, but it has already been rubber stamped by the House of Commons Commission, on which the speaker, Conservative leader of the Commons, Labour shadow leader, and their SNP counterpart sit.

“By initiating a hybrid solution, with steps towards an entirely virtual parliament, we are enabling members to stay close to their communities, while continuing their important work scrutinising the government,” Sir Lindsay said.

“I do not want members and house staff putting themselves at risk. By working virtually, this is our contribution to the guidance of stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

What about the House of Lords?

The House of Lords has gone for a completely different system: they will be using Microsoft Teams to “ask questions of ministers during the house’s daily oral questions, listen to and respond to ministerial statements and private notice questions, and contribute to non-legislative debate”. However, this will, at least initially not be broadcast.

Like the Commons, this the first time in history peers have been able to participate in proceedings of the house without physically being in the chamber. The average age of the Lords is actually 70 – so most peers are in an at-risk group for coronavirus.

The Lords authorities note that “debates on legislation will initially continue to be held in the chamber with an expectation of limited participation”.

The explain: “This is because any proceeding that requires the house to take a decision must still be done through a physical sitting of the house. Further trials to allow second reading and committee stage debates to take place virtually will be undertaken over the coming weeks.”

Lord Fowler, the lord speaker, said: “This is new ground for all of us and the ‘virtual’ House of Lords will inevitably face some technical teething problems but I am confident with the hard work and dedication of our parliamentary staff and the adaptability of our members we can make a success of it.”