Speaker statement to media on voting arrangements
1 June 2020
PRESS STATEMENT
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, commenting on new voting arrangements, said:
"While we will return to fully physical proceedings in the House tomorrow – they will not be the same as before.
"Ideally, I would have liked the Government and Opposition to have reached agreement on how we should conduct our proceedings and voting procedures - unfortunately this has not been forthcoming.
"As remote voting has lapsed and Public Health England have deemed our Division lobbies unsafe, I have had to devise a temporary way forward to break the deadlock - because the House must be able to have its say.
"It is not perfect, it will take time, and Members will need to be patient. But, it is the safest method I can think of to enable Members and supporting staff to maintain social distancing.
"However, I still remain hopeful that colleagues will agree on a method of participation that enables all Members to take part, especially those who are shielding, vulnerable or have caring responsibilities."