MPs are required to walk the length of the Commons chamber – and we have definitely seen that somewhere before.
The House of Commons has been transformed into a never-ending RuPaul’s Drag Race runway, thanks to Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Rees-Mogg, known for his antiquated views on everything from gay relationships to parliamentary reform, riled MPs with his decision to abolish remote voting measures put in place for the Coronavirus pandemic.
Despite official government guidance stipulating that everyone should continue to work from home if they are able to, the Commons leader’s new voting system requires MPs to travel to Westminster and vote in person.
However, the first trial of the new socially-distanced system on Tuesday descended into farce, with politicians trapped in a near-endless queue snaking halfway across the parliamentary estate in order to vote – while vulnerable MPs shielding at home were deprived of their opportunity to do so.
something quite surreal about the Parliament 1km-queue, like an episode of Black Mirror or Dr Who pic.twitter.com/IRp9dhJWFF
— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) June 2, 2020
MPs who did make it to the front of the queue were then required to walk the length of the Commons chamber and announce their vote – and we have definitely seen that somewhere before.
“Mr. Rees Mogg, what’s your proposal to show everyone we have a world-beating 21st century voting system in the UK during a pandemic?” #ReesMoggConga pic.twitter.com/ZQzzJK86xc
— David Vella (@indeox) June 2, 2020
Mps in the commons looks like they’re walking the runway. Category is ‘this doesn’t look like social distancing’ #Parliament #DragRace pic.twitter.com/szJXWMna07
— Ian from the 🇵🇭 (@manisanisland) June 2, 2020
Plenty of MPs took to Twitter to mock the new arrangements.
MPs are not impressed with Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Labour’s Luke Pollard described it as “like queuing for a ride at Alton Towers that turns out to be a bit s**t,” adding: “It deprives people of their MP and reinforces the message that you need to be able-bodied in order to be an MP.”
This is ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/M77e1kYlm0
— Luke Pollard MP (@LukePollard) June 2, 2020
After voting, he added: “What an utter mess. I am now going back to my office to do some work and listen to Lady Gaga’s new album. Until we start voting again at 8pm where this discriminatory Mogg-conga starts all over again. Ridiculous!”
Lloyd Russell-Moyle added: “This queue stretches out of the palace, across a courtyard and into another building.
“Until last week all 650 MPs could vote safely from home online. Jacob Rees-Mogg will really go to extreme lengths to prevent parliament from coming into the 21st century!”
Angela Eagle added: “It’s almost as if Jacob Rees-Mogg wants us to look very silly and discredit all politics.”
This queue stretches out of the Palace, across a courtyard and into another building.
Until last week all 650 MPs could vote safely from home online.@Jacob_Rees_Mogg will really go to extreme lengths to prevent parliament from coming into the 21st century! pic.twitter.com/lM8TO6YCmy
— Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP🌹🇪🇺🏳️🌈 (@lloyd_rm) June 2, 2020
MPs denied right to vote under new arrangements.
Others complained that they were deprived of their right to represent constituents because they cannot go to Westminster during the crisis.
Lib Dem MP Jamie Stone said: “I’m a carer for my wife. You’re asking me to choose between the health of my family and abiding by your poxy stubbornness. I choose to fulfil my duties as a husband and family man.”
Labour’s Barry Sheerman added: “I am furious that the vanity of Boris Johnson the prime minister will prevent me the longest serving member of parliament on the opposition benches from speaking or voting today!”