Hold on to your hats, dear readers, because it’s time to dive into the wild world of MPs voting during the pandemic! If you’ve ever wondered how the illustrious men and women of the British Parliament have been making decisions during these trying times, then you’re in for a treat! Spoiler alert: things got a little tricky, but like any great empire, Parliament has adapted and persisted!
Remember the days when COVID-19 first stormed into our lives? We’re talking May to June 2020 here, people. Well, our tireless MPs didn’t let that virus stop them from serving us. They rose to the challenge like phoenixes from the ashes, adopting a shiny new online voting tool to remotely vote on crucial decisions. These votes were recorded as usual on the ever-handy TheyWorkForYou voting record.
But plot twist! From 2nd to 9th June 2020, the online voting option disappeared quicker than toilet paper during lockdown. Sadly, this meant some MPs couldn’t vote if they weren’t physically able to attend Parliament. Fret not, dear reader, because our story doesn’t end here!
Beginning on 10th June 2020, our fearless MPs said “enough is enough” and devised a cunning plan: proxy voting! This allowed MPs to designate another MP to cast their vote on their behalf, effectively making it the same as if they’d voted in person. And, you guessed it, these votes also showed up on TheyWorkForYou.
But wait, there’s more! MPs were given a choice – designate a proxy, or engage in a daring act of pairing with an opposing MP to miss a vote. Tragically, Parliament doesn’t record these sultry, cloak-and-dagger pairings, so both MPs appear absent on TheyWorkForYou. However, these stealthy alliances were still working together for the greater good.
Curious how our beloved Andrew Bridgen voted on Taxation and Employment during this period? Head on over to TheyWorkForYou to check out the details. And remember, friends, we’re all in this together – even when it comes to voting in the midst of a pandemic! Stay tuned for any updates or changes in this thrilling adventure!