Week Ahead: ‘Hybrid’ Parliament begins as guns stay silent for Queen’s birthday

PARLIAMENT RETURNS REMOTELY

Politicians in Westminster have often been accused of being too distant from voters, but it will be the House of Commons many of them will be remote from this week.  

Parliament is returning from Easter recess on Tuesday and plans have been put in place for a ‘hybrid’ House of Commons due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the plan, which politicians need to approve tomorrow, around 50 MPs at a time will still be able to sit on the green benches in Westminster but video app Zoom will allow 120 MPs to take part online.

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “We are enabling members to stay close to their communities, while continuing their important work scrutinising the Government. I do not want members and House staff putting themselves at risk. By working virtually, this is our contribution to the guidance of stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

If the new measures are agreed, it will mean that from Wednesday, some MPs will be able to take part in Prime Minister’s Questions, ask urgent questions and make statements via video link.

ROYAL CELEBRATIONS

The Queen celebrates her 94th birthday on Tuesday in unusual circumstances.  Her Majesty, who was born on April 21, 1926, normally celebrates her birthday privately. In line with royal tradition, the occasion is marked every summer with the Trooping the Colour parade.

Palace officials have already said Trooping the Colour will “not go ahead in its traditional form” on June 13 due to the pandemic..

Her birthday on Tuesday will not be marked with gun salutes in what is believed to be a first due to the coronavirus crisis. The monarch is said to have decided gun salutes would not be “appropriate” at this time.

A Buckingham Palace source said her birthday will not be marked in any special way. The source said: “There will be no gun salutes – Her Majesty was keen that no special measures were put in place to allow gun salutes as she did not feel it appropriate in the current circumstances.”

THE BIG NIGHT IN

During an unprecedented crisis, the nation has come together to support one another in all sorts of unexpected ways.

On Thursday, the BBC will be hosting a special programme called The Big Night In to celebrate the acts of kindness, humour and the spirit of hope and resilience that are keeping the country going at the moment.

Presenters will include Matt Baker, Zoe Ball, Lenny Henry, Davina McCall and Paddy McGuinness, while Peter Kay will be among the guests and David Walliams and Matt Lucas will be bringing Little Britain back to TV screens for the first time in over 10 years with a new sketch.

Funds raised on the night will be split equally between BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief to provide essential support to local charities, projects and programmes across the UK to help those most in need, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak promising to match any contributions made by the public pound-for-pound.

RAMADAN BEGINS

Thursday also marks the beginning of Ramadan for the UK’s 2.5 million Muslims.

The holy month will see practising Muslims fasting during daylight hours. With Ramadan normally a time of increased communal activity, the Muslim Council of Britain has said it is “imperative” worshippers observe the holy month “very differently” by following the rules on social distancing during the pandemic.

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