Valerie gives evidence to the Procedure Committee

As Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, on Wednesday 28 March 2018, I gave oral evidence to the Procedure Committee for its inquiry into Voting by proxy in the House of Commons.

On 1 February 2018, the following motion was agreed by the House of Commons: “That this House believes that it would be to the benefit of the functioning of parliamentary democracy that honourable Members who have had a baby or adopted a child should for a period of time be entitled, but not required, to discharge their responsibilities to vote in this House by proxy”.

I said that it is important to separate the principle from the procedure. The House of Commons has agreed the principle of baby leave and it now has to agree the procedure in which it can be implemented.

You can find out further information on the inquiry here: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/procedure-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/voting-by-proxy-17-19/