Stella Creasy, her 13-week old son, took him to a late-night awards show. She then appeared on Lorraine today without him. The row about her ban from bringing her infant to Commons debates continued. 

The Walthamstow MP was pictured sat at a table near 10.45pm with the infant during the closing stages of the Spectator parliamentarian of year Awards in London. 

She hit out yesterday after receiving an official rebuke for carrying 13-week-old son Pip in a sling during a discussion on Black Friday regulations. 

Her two previous children were her son and daughter. She was also able to take part in Commons debates while she was carrying the other. 

Today, Lorraine Creasy appeared without her baby and stated that she is ‘baffled’ by ticking off. She also said that she might bring her son into Parliament next Wednesday. 

She explained that next week she doesn’t know whether my son can accompany me into Parliament for the work I need. A lot of these laws seem to be written without regard to flexibility. [women need]. 

“I think it’s important to have the dialogue, it’s kind of like a chicken and an eggs. The fact that there aren’t many young mothers in politics means that this isn’t an important topic which leads to fewer young mothers. 

A nursery for babies and children up to five years of age is located in Parliament. It’s open every day from 8am until 6pm. Commons members are forbidden from bringing children to the Commons. 

The Walthamstow MP was pictured sitting at a table with the infant just before 10.45pm during the final stages of the Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards in London

The Walthamstow MP was pictured sat at a table near 10.45pm with the infant during the last stages of the Spectator Parlamentarian of the Year Awards.

Today, appearing without her baby on Lorraine, Ms Creasy said she was 'baffled' at the ticking off, and said she was considering bringing her son into Parliament next week too

Today, Lorraine Creasy appeared without her baby and stated that she is ‘baffled’ by ticking off. She also said she might bring her son to Parliament next Wednesday.

Ms Creasy took part in a debate on the promotion and regulation of financial products on Black Friday with son Pip in a sling

On Black Friday, Ms. Creasy and her son Pip participated in a discussion about the regulation and promotion financial products.

After last night’s dispute, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle launched a probe into rules that prevent MPs from having their children in work. 

Red Wall Tory MP Scott Benton criticized Ms Creasy, asking why her son needed to go to work. 

The Blackpool South MP stated that parents who are paid less for childcare or manage to juggle multiple responsibilities in order to go work get a fraction of the amount you pay. 

“What is it that makes you unique?” 

Later, Ms Creasy retorted, saying that she didn’t have the employment rights and therefore did not have maternity coverage to allow her to do juggling. She also said, “We don’t have any employment rights, so we don’t have the maternity cover for a baby, hence I need to bring my child with us.”

“But, it is great to hear that you support ensuring mothers have a voice in politics. It is not your nature to be anti-choice for women.

However, she was also criticized by a female politician. 

Susan Hall of the Tories, the Greater London Assembly leader, stated: “Mothers must find childcare in reality, it is what they do.”

Ms Creasy - pictured last night - hit out yesterday after receiving an official rebuke for carrying 13-week-old son Pip in a sling during a discussion on Black Friday regulations

Ms Creasy – pictured last night – hit out yesterday after receiving an official rebuke for carrying 13-week-old son Pip in a sling during a discussion on Black Friday regulations

Ms Creasy was criticised by Red Wall Tory MP Scott Benton, who questioned why she needed to bring her son to work

Scott Benton from Red Wall Tory, a Red Wall Tory MP, criticized Ms. Creasy and asked why her son had to go to work.

 

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle announced he has asked a committee to examine the regulations after Stella Creasy was admonished in a letter last night.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Commons Speaker, announced that he had asked for a committee of experts to review the regulations following Stella Creasy’s letter.

While taking part in the event she was accompanied by Pip, who is still breastfeeding, and received the terse email afterwards.

Pip, her still-feeding mother, was with her during the event. After the event, she received a terse email.

Are MPs new dads and moms allowed to vote? 

All MPs are required to adhere to the Rules of Behaviour in the House of Commons. It was last updated September. 

Under the section on children it states: ‘You may take babies or toddlers with you into the division lobby, and – if necessary to get to the division lobby – take them through the Chamber. 

Safety reasons require that you carry your child, and no pushchairs in the lobby. 

“You must not sit in the Chamber with your child. You should also not stand between the divisions at any end.

But Ms Creasy, along with other mothers new to Parliament, have brought their babies into the Commons before, often while still nursing. Authorities took a supportive stance and are now able to accommodate them. 

Further complicating matters are the regulations governing maternity leave. 

Because they are self-employed MPs may take time off from their full salary.  They argue that they cannot vote or participate in debates because they do not have full pay.

The Government amended legislation earlier this year to make sure Cabinet ministers receive six months of maternity leave. This was to enable Suella Braverman (Attorney General) to continue her position after she has had a child.

However, backbench MPs were not granted the same access. 

The pilot program meant that the Labour MP Walthamstow was temporarily replaced when she became pregnant with her first baby. 

The post came with £50,000 pro rata salary and covered a period of seven months absence.

Although they were allowed to visit ministers, handle casework and meet with officials, they could not vote in Parliament.

This summer, however, Ms. Creasy was informed by Parliamentary authorities she could not appoint any locum MP to provide coverage for her second baby. 

Instead she was was offered £35,000 to hire a new junior staff member or promote an existing member of her team. 

Ms Creasy stated that Ipsa has never justified the termination of this pilot program.

Ms Creasy had earlier tweeted a photograph of an email addressed to her apparently from the Private Secretary to the Chairman of Ways and Means reminding her of the Rules of behaviour and courtesies in the House of Commons, which were updated in early September. 

Paragraph 42 in the Rules says that MPs’shouldn’t take their seats in the Chamber when they are accompanied by children’. The Private Secretary told the 44-year old mother of two, Westminster Hall:

A debate was held on Black Friday by the Walthamstow MP on regulation and promotion of financial products. It took place in the Westminster Estate’s oldest building which serves as a venue for further discussions outside of the Commons chamber. 

Pip was still nursing and joined her at the event. She received the short email after the event. 

Sir Lindsay said to MPs, ‘It’s extremely important that parents and children of young children can participate fully at the House’s activities.

He admitted that he didn’t know about the Stella Creasy advice from Labour. Stella was informed she couldn’t bring her 3-month-old son to the Commons. But, the rules ‘correctly reflect the current laws’.

He said, “But, rules must be seen in context, and they can change with the times.” 

Ms Creasy said she was ‘pleased to hear this’, adding:  ‘(I) Hope this means some of these rules will be reviewed to make parenting and politics possible to mix.’

All MPs are required to adhere to the Rules of Behaviour in the House of Commons. It was last updated September. 

Under the section on children it states: ‘You may take babies or toddlers with you into the division lobby, and – if necessary to get to the division lobby – take them through the Chamber. 

Safety reasons require that you carry your child, and no pushchairs in the lobby. 

“You must not sit in the Chamber with your child. You should also not stand between the divisions at any end.

But Ms Creasy, along with other mothers new to Parliament, have brought their babies into the Commons before, often while still nursing. Authorities took a supportive stance and are now able to accommodate them. 

‘Mothers in the mother of all parliament are not to be seen or heard it seems…. #21stCenturyCalling,’ Ms Creasy posted with the photographed email on Tuesday afternoon.

Ms Creasy also called for support of a campaign to increase the participation of mothers in politics.

‘Other countries show it doesn’t have to be this way – If you want things to change so politics and parenting can mix, please join our project to help directly support mums of young children to stand for office.’

BBC reported that the House of Commons stated it was “in communication” with Ms Creasy.

Susan Hall, who leads the Tories on the Greater London Assembly, said: 'Mothers have to find childcare in the real world, it’s what they do.'

Susan Hall of the Tories, the Greater London Assembly leader, stated: “Mothers must find childcare in reality, it is what they do.”

Labour’s Liz Kendall (50) to “step back” from her MP role in order to be a mom

Liz Kendall, Leicester West MP said that she would be temporarily stepping down from both her parliamentary and frontbench duties next year as she becomes pregnant by a surrogate baby. 

Shadow minister for Social Care, who was running in the 2015 election for the Party Leadership, announced last night.

Leicester West MP Elizabeth Fox said that she and her partner are due to be parents by the New Year. 

She told the Leicester Mercury that she would be taking a leave of work in order to spend this time with her new baby. 

“But I want my constituents to be reassured that my office will remain completely open throughout the year, and my entire staff will continue providing support to local residents. 

Boris Johnson would like to see “further improvements” in making Parliament more family-friendly, Downing Street said.

When reporters asked him whether MPs should have the right to bring their children into the Commons, the official spokesperson for the Prime Minister said that he understood the problems faced by new parents, fathers and adopted parents. In recent years, Parliament made positive changes in order to become more family-friendly, such as proxy voting.

“We want all places of work to be modern, flexible, and comfortable for parents.

“This is clearly a matter that the House should address. They have made an official statement about it today. However, we still want improvements.

The No.10 spokesperson responded to a question about whether the comment was similar to Johnson’s signalling support for a shift in baby stance.

The House can decide how it operates.

This morning Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said he has ‘a lot of sympathy’ for Mr Creasy, telling BBC Breakfast: ‘Quite what the right balance is in terms of the chamber, let me leave that to the House authorities but frankly I’ve got a lot of sympathy for Stella Creasy on all of these things because I’ve seen her with her young child, I’ve seen many other MPs on all sides of the House balancing this, and it’s difficult.

“I feel we must ensure our profession is updated to meet the demands of today’s 21st-century world. It should be possible for parents to balance their work and family life.

He stated that he was a sucker for young children and would not bother giving a speech at the Despatch Box in their presence.

“Whether or not it is the right thing for the chamber, there are different opinions on that. It will be up to the House authorities decide, but it wouldn’t distract from me and get in my way of doing my job.

Ms Creasy with her newborn in September during a debate where she demanded new mothers were 'supported' by Parliament

In September Ms Creasy was photographed with her infant during a debate requesting that Parliament support new mothers. 

Late September saw Ms Creasy strap her newborn to her while she stood in the chamber asking Jacob Rees Mogg, Commons Leader, to support new mothers and not’rebuked’ after returning to Parliament.

Responding, Mr Rees Mogg claimed that the rules are ‘perfectly reasonable’ and ‘completely in line’ with the law. 

Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones last night  described the rule as a ‘complete contradiction’ after she said she received an assurance from Sir Lindsay that she could breastfeed in the chamber.

Caroline Lucas, Green MP said that the rule was ‘absurd and must be challenged’. She also stated that babies are far less disruptive than braying backbenchers.

This issue caused social media users to be divided. Many people supported Ms. Creasy and others said that other professionals cannot allow their children to join them in work.

One user said, “In certain ways, I admire this. Another way (as noted by someone else) was that we, a working couple, had to spend a lot of money on childcare. Our children couldn’t go to work with us, and most people can’t.

Another said, “Shame upon parliament.” A baby under one should be permitted, even if it is breastfed. Another barrier is for the women.

A teacher wrote: “22 years ago I breastfed my baby while giving lectures and tutorials.” My baby did not suffer from the suffering of my students and he was fine. 

It was easy for my workplace. Stella Creasy does her job well, but it is absurd that there are any rules for her in 2021. 

Following the 2019 election she was sworn in while carrying daughter Hettie in a sling (centre)

She was carrying her daughter Hettie (centre), as she was being sworn into office following the 2019 election.

One writer wrote, “Since what has made us so anti-child as a country?” Every case is unique, so I believe we need to try harder in every instance.

One person said, “All the people saying Stella ought to use childcare: The baby is young and she is nursing him. It is much easier for her to do her job with the child than if she has to go backwards or forwards every 90 minutes to get him fed.”

One person disagreed with the other, saying that ‘Could my mother have me in AGA cookers sales showrooms or could my Dad be on a building sight? They couldn’t. 

One person wrote: “Do what the rest have to do… Get a family/child minder to help or work at home.”

Ms. Creasy used to take her son, and her previous daughter Hettie, into the Commons chamber.

The Speaker had not held either child, but this was in New Zealand in 2019.

Speaker Trevor Mallard attracted global fame as a so-called ‘baby whisperer’ after helping to soothe a colleague’s infant – including rocking, bottle feeding and burping the child – during a debate in the chamber in Wellington.

Jacinda Ardern, Australia’s Prime Minister, was the first leader from the world to bring their child to the UN General Assembly floor one year prior.