New mother Tulip Siddiq, who deferred child birth by two days to attended the House of Commons vote on Brexit, has become the first MP to vote by proxy on Tuesday night. Her votes in the critical Brexit divisions were being cast on her behalf by fellow Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft.
It will be the first time an MP has had a vote counted without being present on the parliamentary estate.
New rules that were agreed on Monday night for a one-year trial will only apply to MPs on parental leave, but may in future lead to an end of the tradition of forcing seriously ill MPs to vote in person.
Ms Siddiq, the MP for Hampstead & Kilburn, in her tweet wrote, “I believe I will be the first MP to vote by proxy tomorrow! I've asked @vickyfoxcroft to do the honours. Thank you Speaker. @andrealeadsom @HarrietHarman @joswinson & others. Raphael & I are so grateful that I can represent my constituents in these important votes.”
She delayed the birth by Caesarean of son Raphael, her second child, to take part in a key Brexit vote. Her appearance in a wheelchair galvanised a cross-party campaign led by women MPs to update parliamentary rules.
