ONLINE LORDS JUST AS LAZY AS REAL ONES DISGRACED

Peers not logging on to vote

FEWER than two thirds of peers have voted on bills in the House of Lords since online voting was introduced last June.

Peers get £162 a day to take part in virtual sittings of the House of Lords while the chamber is shut due to Covid-19 and usually receive an attendance allowance of £323 when sitting in Westminster.

But, a Mirror investigation reveals that despite being able to vote from home, the average number of Lords’ members voting is 474 out of a potential 792.

Of the 110 bills and amendments presented since remote voting was brought in up to Tuesday this week, 18 were voted on by less than half of the eligible peers.

Some have failed to vote on any of the bills, which have included crucial legislation on Brexit, coronavirus, constituency boundary reviews and abortion laws in Northern Ireland. Among those who have failed to use the voting app is Lord Hanningfield, suspended in 2014 after he was found to have claimed for 11 days on which he did no parliamentary work. He has not voted since 2015. Lords Archer and Sugar have not voted since 2017. It is unclear why they have not voted. Willie Sullivan, of Electoral Reform Society, said the Lords is “more of a private members’ club than a legislative chamber”. Analysis of Lords’ sittings in 2019 found some peers are present for as few as 2% of the days.

Lord Mcfall, of the Lords Procedure Committee, has said online voting is “significant step forward”.

BILLS PAID Lords sitting in January 2020

SUGAR Last voted back in October 2017

Lord Hanningfield has not voted

ARCHER Author also last voted in 2017