Press Release Wednesday 15 April 2020
Shadow Digital Minister welcomes Digital Parliament progress
Shadow Digital Minister Chi Onwurah has welcomed the progress made in bringing about a Digital Parliament. Chi Said “It is fantastic to see the progress which has been made in delivering a Digital Parliament since I began the campaign just three weeks ago. At a time when we are asking everyone to make drastic changes in how they live and work in order to stay at home and save lives, MPs must be able to show we can make our democracy work while social distancing”.
Chi began her campaign for a Digital Parliament last month with a letter to the Clerk of the House of Commons that was co-signed by over 150 MPs from across the house [i].
Yesterday the Speaker of the House confirmed that a plan to allow oral questions and statements at the beginning of each sitting to be done by video link will be looked at by the commission on the 16th with view to implementation after recess. Chi said that “It is so important that we hold Government to account and ask the questions constituents are raising. I want to see this in place for Parliament’s return next Tuesday so MPs aren’t having to choose between representing their constituents, and travelling sometimes hundreds of miles to London under lockdown. The technology is there, and the Speaker has made it clear it is possible”.
ENDS
[i] Chi’s original letter https://chionwurahmp.com/2020/03/chi-is-joined-by-120-mps-in-calling-for-a-digital-parliament/
[ii] Speakers statement https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2020/april1/speaker-outlines-virtual-chamber-plans/