Shut the Commons because of the coronavirus? We should consider it

In a time of national crisis, our parliamentary democracy is even more important than ever. Nevertheless, the sight of MPs squeezed shoulder to shoulder on the green benches looked more reckless than reassuring.

It’s great that experts are now back in fashion and that the UK Government has been thus far been guided by science in its reaction to the outbreak. It has also been refreshing to see politics put to one side and parties and devolved governments working constructively together to lead the UK though the crisis.

The advice has been clear, if over-simplified. We’ve to wash our hands, resist the urge to stockpile, and prepare for things to get much worse before they get better. Most importantly of all, we’ve been told we’re not to panic. Life, for now, must carry on as normal.

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I worry slightly about the “keep calm and carry on” sentiment from those in power. We will need cool heads in the coming weeks, but we should be also be wary of complacency or false optimism.

We know from countries that are further ahead in the curve of the virus than us that we will not be able to carry on as normal indefinitely.

Life as we know it will change. It might only be for a short time and the impact of the virus may not be as severe as we fear, but there’s no question that our day-to-day lives will be disrupted.

Our leaders and representatives have a duty to be honest with the public and not treat coronavirus as something that can be overcome with the deployment of a stiff upper lip.

We will all face logistical challenges, most notably in how we manage childcare, self-isolation and the financial hardship that looms on the horizon for those of us who live month to month, with no safety net of savings, or adequate sick pay to see us through.

In this “containment phase” of the disease, the advice from Government has been primarily around hygiene. It is crucial that we remember to wash our hands, not only to protect ourselves, but to protect those around us for whom contracting the virus would be the most dangerous.

Imagine my surprise, therefore, when I tuned in to Good Morning Britain yesterday to hear SNP MP Hannah Bardell reveal that there is no anti-bacterial gel at the entrance to the Common’s chamber. That should be a given, surely? If the heart of our democracy hasn’t taken its own advice and put such a simple – and obvious – protective measure in place, it makes me wonder how they are going to fare when much more complicated and costly measures become necessary.

For obvious reasons, a total shutdown of the House of Commons and the devolved parliaments should only be used as a last resort. But there are practical changes that could be implemented now, before any more MPs are diagnosed with coronavirus.

All non-essential meetings on the parliamentary estate could be cancelled, as well as tour groups, visits from schools and receptions. The business of the house could be organised so that debates that aren’t time critical are postponed. This would allow the working week to be condensed. The House of Commons usually sits at 2.30pm on a Monday – better to start earlier, finish earlier, strip away everything that isn’t a response to the crisis or critical to the domestic agenda, and get MPs back to their constituencies on a Wednesday.

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For those MPs who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or suppressed immune systems, the whips must urgently put pairing or proxy voting arrangements into place. MPs are not infallible and shouldn’t be presented to the public as strong, stoic examples that everything is in fact fine.

This crisis has the potential to drag the archaic House of Commons – kicking, screaming and coughing – into line with modern working practices. While it would probably take more than a global pandemic to encourage MPs to finally move to electronic voting, they will hopefully start to utilise video conferencing technology in their day-to-day business.

In short, if shutting down Parliament entirely is too difficult or risky, then the very least the Government and parliamentary authorities should do is make sure that MPs are only gathered on the estate when absolutely necessary.

These issues will be discussed in the days to come.

Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg will be questioned by MPs at Business Questions today. Hopefully, we will get a clearer picture of how MPs are going to adapt to the coronavirus crisis.

And adapt they must. Otherwise it will look like Parliament is asking the public to “do as I say, not as I do”.