Parliament should start meeting again but staff must be protected

Elements of the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis are increasingly being questioned by journalists and experts.

There have been calls from across the political spectrum for Parliament to be recalled so that government decisions can be properly and democratically scrutinised.

This would likely mean the House sitting in some sort of virtual manner, with meetings taking place via video conference. Whatever manner in which it meets will have consequences for employees of the Houses of Parliament.

Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of Prospect, responds

“Parliamentary scrutiny of the response to the current crisis is essential. That means parliament must sit in some way sooner rather than later even if that means sitting virtually. This is not as easy a proposition as some people are making out.

“Parliament can and should start meeting but any attempt to return to a full programme of business will be counterproductive and put employees and the effective functioning of the House at risk.

“Even if MPs are meeting virtually, staff will have to come into the House via public transport to facilitate that – those numbers must be kept to a minimum and where appropriate PPE must be provided.

“Using technology to conduct parliamentary business in this way has never been done – it has to work, and it has to be secure which will put a huge amount of pressure on staff.

“Prospect will be seeking assurances from the Speaker, the Leader of the House and all political parties that only business directly relating to the COVID-19 response or limited other essential business will be conducted. This is the only way to properly balance our democratic requirements with the safety and well-being of staff.”