The decision sparks a debate about whether the work culture in the Parliament acts as a deterrent for some potential candidates, mainly women mothers.
In recent years, discussions have covered not only the compatibility of parliamentary positions with fatherhood, but also longstanding issues of sexual harassment and diversity.
“Members (of Parliament) must not bring babies into the House, Westminster Hall or general committees to observe, initiate, speak or intervene in proceedings,” said the Commons Procedure Committee.
The review acknowledged that the babies had previously been brought to the UK debating chamber without causing discomfort, but that existing rules should still apply.
The recommendation puts the UK out of step with modernization in other places. While some other legislatures still don’t allow babies in, others, like New Zealand Y Australiahave changed the rules to allow lawmakers to feed babies in debating chambers.
The committee’s recommendation comes after the review request from House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle after MP Stella Creasy was told in November 2021 that it was against the rules to bring her baby to a debate in parliament.
Responding to the committee’s latest proposal on the rules, Creasy said: “I’m not surprised they don’t recognize who is put off by parliament because of its antiquated rules and its focus on women with children and the need to modernise.”
“This committee did not speak to a single person outside parliament despite many of us encouraging them to do so,” Creasy said in a statement.
Prime Minister’s Spokesman Boris Johnson He said that the government is committed to an inclusive parliament, but that the rules are a matter for the parliamentary authorities.
In 2016, the babies of Australian lawmakers were no longer considered visitors, and thus were not banned from the parliament chamber. In New Zealand, rules were relaxed in 2017 to allow mothers to bring their babies into the debating chamber to feed them.
Source: Ambito
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