Yahoo News Over 100 MPs will ignore cancelled 'half-term' order to go on holiday next week
At least 100 MPs are expected to go on holiday next week, despite their half-term break being cancelled to make sure legislation is passed in time for Brexit, it has been reported.
The Commons was due to rise on February 14 and return on February 25 – giving MPs 10 days off – but last month Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom cancelled the break amid concerns over whether everything would be done by Brexit day on March 29.
But according to The Sun, MPs will still take their breaks, with a source saying that Conservative and Labour politicians are being “paired off” so they don’t have to be present for votes.
The newspaper reported that 50 Labour MPs and 50 Tories have already had requests to take time off granted, along with smaller numbers from other parties.
After the break was cancelled, several MPs reportedly contacted Parliament’s expenses watchdog to ask for refunds for holidays they had paid for, but their request was refused.
Extra Parliamentary time is needed to pass six Brexit bills and 300 smaller pieces of legislation in order to meet the March 29 deadline for Brexit.
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At the time of cancelling the half-term break. Mrs Leadsom told MPs: “I realise that this is short notice … But I do think our constituents will expect that the House will be able to make progress at this important time.
“I’m very sorry for the inconvenience that this will cause to colleagues, House staff and their families.”
