A former minister has made history as the first MP to bring her baby to a debate in the House of Commons.

Jo Swinson brought her son Gabriel to a debate on whether MPs on maternity or paternity leave should be able to vote by proxy.

Currently, they can only vote in person, meaning that if an MP was in hospital with their newborn they would have no possibility of voting.

Deputy Lib Dem leader Ms Swinson appeared in the chamber to hear the closing remarks of a discussion, which could allow MPs to nominate a colleague to cast their vote in their absence.

MPs have often been seen in the chamber during votes with their children, but not during active debates.

Ms Swinson, who gave birth to Gabriel this summer, earlier warned the debate was ‘too little, too late’.

She said: ‘This House first resolved that members with small babies should be able to vote by proxy seven months ago – since then Gabriel, Elijah and Solomon have been born and two more Commons babies are on the way.’

Ms Swinson added: ‘A cynic might conclude that because all five pregnant and new mum MPs are on the Opposition benches the Government is trying to kick this issue into the long grass and after what happened to me in July I think I might be able to be forgiven for being cynical about the Government’s motivations.’

Taken from an online METRO article 14/9.

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