Gen Z MPs call for three-day week in Parliament
GEN Z Labour MPs are pushing for a three-day week in Parliament as they try to rip up traditions.
MPs usually sit in Westminster for four days a week before spending Friday in their constituencies holding surgeries.
But a group of newbies want to condense the four days into three so they can spend more time in their seats.
“There’s a group of young new MPs railing against the system,” a Labour MP said.
“They’ve got young families or want to start one but the hours can be a nightmare – especially if your constituency is far away.
“They are calling for things like a three-day week in Westminster – where we’d squeeze all our parliamentary business into three days.”
They argue that by ditching traditions like “bobbing” they can save time.
MPs jump to their feet in the Chamber in a bid to catch the Speakers’ eye in the hope they get to ask a question.
“We spend hours bobbing,” the MP added.
Some are also pushing for a looser dress code like not having to wear a tie in the Chamber.
And others want to cut booze provision during work hours and more diverse paintings.
Another Labour insider said: “We’ve got a lot of new people with good ideas. We need to keep up with the times.”
However, Government sources steered away from any change MPs’ sitting hours.
Meanwhile, Labour staff are pushing for a four-day working week.
In a new fortnightly newsletter called The Staff Room, one wrote: “I’d bring in a four day week.”
The staffer also warned colleagues against coming into work early or leaving late, adding: “It will set a standard that you might come to regret.”
MPs are making representations to the new Modernisation Committee created by the Labour Government to consider reforms.
A government source said: “We set up the Committee in order to modernise Parliament, make Commons procedures more effective, improve standards, culture and working practices.
“Whilst the Commons needs to modernise, move with the times, and rebuild trust, we have some important conventions which help uphold our democracy. The Committee will seek to strike this balance.”