British lawmakers slam baby ban in parliament

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Some UK lawmakers are criticizing a rule that prevents MPs from taking young children to the House of Commons.

The House of Commons is the lower house of the British Parliament where legislative debates are held.

Labor Party lawmaker Stella Creasy recently reported that parliamentary officials told her she could not bring her 3-month-old son upstairs to the House.

Creasy said in the past she had taken her baby and an eldest daughter to the House of Commons without any issues. But she got the new order after taking her son to a debate. He was told the rule changed in September.

Creasy said the rule undermines efforts to make the policy more family-friendly. There are barriers to getting moms involved in politics, and I think that hurts our political debate, she told the BBC.

This file photo shows a view of the Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament across the River Thames in London on Thursday, October 14, 2021 (AP Photo / Matt Dunham, File)

British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, a member of the Conservative Party, said he had great sympathy for Creasys’ position. But he said the decision was up to House officials.

I think we need to make sure our profession is integrated into the modern world, into the 21st century, Raab said. He added that the changes can allow parents to juggle the chores they do with the time they need as a family.

Green Party lawmaker Caroline Lucas called the ban absurd. She said children are much less disruptive than many lawmakers.

House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said he had asked lawmakers in parliament to reconsider the ban. He said the advice Creasy received represented the current rules. But he noted that there were differing opinions on the matter.

Rules need to be put in context and they change over time, Hoyle said. He added: It is extremely important that parents of babies and young children can participate fully in the work of this Assembly.

I am Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

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Words in this story

accompany v. go somewhere with someone

mom nm mother

sympathy nm the feeling that you understand and care about someone else’s situation

juggle trying to do multiple things at once

absurd adj. unreasonable or ridiculous

disrupt v. interrupt something and prevent it from continuing

context n. all the facts, opinions, situations, etc. relating to a particular thing or event

participate v. take part in something

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