Wednesday November 24th 2021
MP receives a reminder
British Parliament is said to be baby-free
A British Labor politician brings her baby, who is just a few months old, to Parliament every now and then. She is praised by her colleagues for his good manners. But now she receives a warning because the rules of the House of Commons forbid bringing her with her. Resistance is stirring.
Following a reference to the current UK House of Commons rules, a UK MP has criticized Parliament’s attitude towards mothers. “It seems as if mothers should not be seen or heard in the mother of all parliaments,” wrote Labor politician Stella Creasy on Twitter in response to the photo of an email she received from the parliamentary administration on the same day.
It says with reference to the rules of the House of Commons: “You should not take your seat in the Chamber with a child.” Creasy recently brought her baby, who was just a few months old, with her to parliament and was even praised by colleagues for the good manners of her offspring.
The Labor MP called on Tory politician Jacob Rees-Mogg weeks ago to allow MPs with young children to participate more. Rees-Mogg is responsible for coordinating parliamentary operations in the government, but has so far refused to make any changes.
Vice-Prime Minister Dominic Raab expressed his condolences to Creasy in a BBC interview and said the profession of politician must be adapted to “the modern world” and the 21st century so that parents can reconcile work and family. However, the Tory politician wanted to leave the specifics of the rules for MPs to those responsible in the lower house.
The spokesman for the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, instructed the responsible committee on Wednesday to review the rules. It is important that parents are also able to fully participate in parliament.