Speaker letter to MPs on proxy voting

Dear colleague

Further to my letter of 5 June 2020, and the motion (Proxy Voting (Extension)) agreed on 10 June 2020, I am writing to colleagues to inform you how to apply for a proxy vote if necessary for medical or public health reasons related to the pandemic. The arrangements for proxy voting for parental absence are still in place.

On 10 June the House agreed to extend proxy voting to Members who are “unable to attend at Westminster for medical or public health reasons related to the pandemic”. You can find the requirements of the updated scheme for proxy voting on Parliament's website.

I have below outlined the steps required to register for a proxy vote. All steps outlined are for you as an Member, rather than your staff.

How to register for a proxy vote for medical or public health reasons related to the pandemic

The steps for you to register are as follows:

1. Agree with any Member who is eligible to vote in divisions that they will be your proxy and cast your vote as and when instructed by you.
2. Email proxyvote@parliament.uk providing the following:
• The name of the Member who has agreed to be your proxy.
• The date when you want your proxy voting period to start (your proxy vote will last until the expiration of the temporary Standing Order (Voting by proxy) or until the House otherwise orders).
• You do not need to provide any detail specifying why you are unable to attend Westminster for medical or public health reasons related to the pandemic.
3. The Speaker will issue a certificate, which will appear in the Votes and Proceedings on the day it is issued. The certificate will show your name, the start date of the arrangement and the name of the Member you have chosen as your proxy.
4. The proxy arrangement will begin when the Speaker takes the Chair on the following sitting day after the certificate is issued.

You can change your nominated proxy, or decide to return to voting in person, but to do so you need to email by the rise of the House on sitting day before you want the change to come 

into effect.

Arrangements for week beginning 15 June

If you would like to register for a proxy vote next week the timings by which you need to register are as follows:

From the week beginning Monday 22 June, the deadline will be the rise of the House on the sitting day before you want the proxy vote to come into effect.

Warm wishes,

Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Speaker of the House of Commons