Can Britain cope if MPs are struck down with coronavirus?

Sean O'Grady looks at the impact if the virus hits our elected representatives

A total absence of legislators would present a problem never encountered before (Reuters)

Around a dozen members of parliament and a couple of ministers (ironically in the Department of Health and Social Care) have either been tested positive for coronavirus or are in the process of diagnosis, and are “self-isolating”. Apart from wishing them to get well soon, and without wishing to be flippant, does it matter?

Obviously it is not ideal, but absentee MPs are not such an unusual phenomenon. Some seats in Northern Ireland have had abstentionist Sinn Fein MPs for many years. For reasons of principle they refuse to take up their seats at Westminster, and do not take part in debates, committee work or any of the other political activities of the House of Commons. Nonetheless, they are elected by their constituents in the full knowledge that they will self-impose isolation from the Westminster bubble. The Sinn Fein MPs can still undertake typical constituency work from their local office, or from home.

Other MPs have occasionally disappeared, been sent to prison, suspended from the house, died or simply disappeared. More often they can become too ill to work. In such circumstances the whips can sustain a pairing arrangement whereby the effect on votes in the Commons is neutralised (provided it is honoured). Otherwise a friendly MP in a neighbouring constituency can take on the local duties. And of course the 14 weeks or so of parliamentary recesses this year takes the edge off any unscheduled absences.