UK parliament tells members to leave babies at home

Wed, 10 Aug 2022

UK parliament tells members to leave babies at home

Robert Besser
03 Jul 2022, 16:39 GMT+10

A UK parliamentary committee has told lawmakers that they may not bring babies to parliamentary proceedings and debates
The decision caused a debate on whether the UK parliament's working culture would deter some potential candidates
The review acknowledged that babies had previously been taken into the House without causing disturbance, but existing rules should still apply

LONDON, England: A UK parliamentary committee has told lawmakers that they may not bring babies to parliamentary proceedings and debates.

The decision caused a debate on whether the UK parliament's working culture would deter some potential candidates.

The Commons Procedure Committee said, in a statement, "Members of parliament should not bring babies into the Chamber, Westminster Hall or general committees to observe, initiate, speak or intervene in proceedings."

The review acknowledged that babies had previously been taken into the House without causing disturbance, but existing rules should still apply.

The committee's recommendation is contrary to other countries, such as New Zealand and Australia, which have changed their rules to allow lawmakers to feed babies in debating chambers.

After UK lawmaker Stella Creasy was told in November 2021 that it was against the rules to bring her baby to a debate in parliament, the committee's latest recommendation follows House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle's request for a review.

In response to the committee's proposal on the rules, Creasy said, "I am not surprised they do not recognize who is put off parliament by its antiquated rules and approach to women who have children and the need to modernize."

Commenting on the decision, a spokesman for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "The UK government was committed to an inclusive parliament, but the rules were a matter for parliamentary authorities."

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Irish Sun.

More Information

12 ℃

Fair in Dublin

International

Section

Citing safety of children, LA to move homeless away from schools

LOS ANGELES, California: During a meeting that was disrupted by protesters this week, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ...

Former Puerto Rico governor Wanda Vazquez arrested on bribery charges

WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. Justice Department announced this week that former Puerto Rico governor Wanda Vazquez has been arrested in ...

Canada sends 225 soldiers to help train Ukrainian forces

OTTAWA, Ontario: Military trainers from Canada will head to the United Kingdom to teach Ukrainians new techniques for fighting the ...

China tourism city of Sanya struck by Covid, 80,000 tourists stranded

SANYA, China: Following a Covid lockdown, some 80,000 tourists cannot leave the southern Chinese beach resort of Sanya. The restrictions ...

Australian singing sensation Olivia Newton-John has died

SANTA BARBARA, California - Australian singing sensation and actress Olivia Newtown-John has died at the age of 73."Dame Olivia Newton-John ...

Cars swept away during record floods in Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, California: Record rainfall on August 5 caused floods at Death Valley National Park that closed all ...

Europe

Section

Canada sends 225 soldiers to help train Ukrainian forces

OTTAWA, Ontario: Military trainers from Canada will head to the United Kingdom to teach Ukrainians new techniques for fighting the ...

As Heathrow reduces passengers, British Airways stops selling tickets

LONDON, England: British Airways has halted ticket sales for short-haul flights that depart before the middle of August from London's ...

Ministers favor 4 am closing for Ireland's pubs, nightclubs

DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland's bars and nightclubs will be allowed to operate into the early morning under new regulations being proposed ...

Germany says Covid measures to return at hospitals, nursing homes

BERLIN, Germany: The German government's basic COVID-19 restrictions would return this fall and winter, when experts expect cases to rise ...

Report says England, France suffered driest July in decades

LONDON, England: During the record-breaking heatwave that swept Europe, England and France recorded their driest July since 1935 and 1959, ...

Netherlands begins emergency management of water supplies

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Due to the hot, dry summer affecting most of Europe, the Dutch government has declared a national water ...

Movie Review

The Scarlet Empress

Scarlet Empress