LONDON , — A number of British politicians demanded a revision in parliamentary rules Wednesday, after a lawmaker was told that she could not bring her 3-month old baby to the House of Commons chamber.
Stella Creasy, a Labour Party legislator, said that she received a letter by the House of Commons authorities following her participation in a debate with her son Pip.
She claimed that she had taken Pip and her older child to Parliament before without any problems. However, the rules changed in September. Members of Parliament now know that children accompanying them should not be allowed to take their seats in the chamber.
Creasy claimed that the rule was a hindrance to efforts to make politics more family friendly.
She stated that there are obstacles to getting mothers involved in politics and she believes this damages the political debate.
Dominic Raab (Deputy Prime Minister), a Conservative, stated that he had “a lot sympathy” for Creasy but that the final decision rests with the House authorities.
Raab stated, “I believe we need to ensure that our profession is brought into modernity, the 21st Century, and can allow parents the ability to juggle their jobs with the family time they need.”
Caroline Lucas, a Green Party lawmaker, said that the ban on baby-naming was “absurd.”
