ANALYSIS

First the visitors were banned, then the restaurants and bars were closed and now finally MPs and Lords are being sent home. After today it will be all quiet on the Westminster front.

War analogies have been common in recent weeks, but this Blitz requires us to do something we’ve never done before – avoid social contact and stay indoors.

Keep calm, yes, but carry on, no. The draconian announcements this week to ensure social distancing have left many reeling, but one quarter have kept cool heads.

Our MPs have been on fine form and on a day when heartbreaking reports continued to flood in about those who have died or are suffering from Covid-19, they twisted the government’s arm for answers on a number of pressing issues.

Frustration has been bubbling over at the government’s lack of action on support for the self-employed, at the paucity of protective equipment for the NHS and social care workers and at the lack of a firm date for when virus testing would be available.

In several years of parliamentary reporting I’ve never seen a government agree to demands and respond to concerns so quickly.

After a bruising prime minister’s questions for Boris Johnson on the issue of the self-employed, his spokesman told reporters a proposal would be forthcoming today.

Mr Johnson, after continued questioning on equipment, told MPs all those who needed it would have it by “the end of the week”.

And on testing kits, cross-examined by the Commons science committee, Professor Sharon Peacock said the public would be able to conduct tests at home within a matter of days.

We understand there is talk between the government and MPs of some sort of remote working and remote question sessions if it is not possible to reconvene Parliament, but the details still remain sketchy.

The forensic eyes of parliamentarians will be needed more than ever as we go forward.