DEESIDE'S MP has slammed the new voting arrangements for Parliament.

Mark Tami, Labour MP for Alyn and Deeside, has slammed the Conservative Government’s decision to end remote voting for MPs in Parliament.

The decision, made by Jacob Rees-Mogg, means MPs must travel down to Westminster and vote in person. Social distancing is often not possible in the narrow corridors of the House of Commons.

Up until now, MPs could take part in debates and vote online, which has led to quieter discussion without cheering from backbench MPs.

Mr Tami said senior Conservatives have been concerned that Prime Minister Boris Johnson struggles in debates against new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer without being able to rely on backup from his supporters. As a result, the Government has decided to end the online debates.

MPs who are self-isolating because they have symptoms of Covid-19, have health conditions or disabilities, or who have family that they live with who have health conditions, can no longer speak in Parliament or vote. Other MPs will have to join queues of up to a kilometre long.

Mr Tami added: “This decision undermines democracy as many people across the country will find their MP is no longer able to represent them if they have coronavirus or have any kind of health condition which requires them to shield.

"Since the start of the coronavirus crisis all MPs have been able to vote online and speak in debates whilst following the advice to stay at home. The Government is now choosing to cancel this just to try to make Boris Johnson look less hopeless at Prime Minister’s questions.

"Having hundreds of MPs return to Parliament also increases the chance of the virus spreading as social distancing is often not possible in the historic buildings. This puts hardworking staff at Parliament at greater risk for no good reason.

"It also increases the risk around the country as MPs are forced to travel back and forwards to Westminster, possibly carrying the virus back to their communities without knowing it.

"This desperate ploy seems calculated to try to distract from the actions of the Prime Minister’s senior adviser, Dominic Cummings, who broke the lockdown to go on a trip to see his parents and visit beauty spots ‘to test his eyesight’. The decision to end online Parliamentary sittings puts the public at risk for political advantage. This is an absolute disgrace."