ERS staff are, as you would imagine, working from home, and our events and meetings have all been postponed.
While the office is closed, we’re still keeping up our work remotely (do contact [email protected] if you have any questions, rather than calling).
These are pressing times, with life-changing legislation on the Parliamentary agenda – and understandably few parliamentarians around to scrutinise it.
It’s clear that the government’s focus needs to be on solving the crisis in front of us.
We are closely monitoring the state of Parliamentary scrutiny – and calling for common-sense reforms to enable MPs to contribute to the democratic process while self-isolating.
Those changes are vital to stop members and staff feeling pressured to attend while it is unsafe to do so.
It has been positive to see cross-party recognition of the need to keep our democracy going. In a time of crisis, it’s even more important that life-changing decisions are properly held to account.
And while we respond to these immediate issues, we’re also spending the time planning for the future – improving our processes so we’re in an even better state as an organisation once this is over.
The need for a democracy that is built to last, and where everyone’s voice is heard, is as clear as ever.
In the meantime, keep safe, look after each other, and don’t hesitate to get in touch.
All the best, and thanks for your continued support,
Darren Hughes, ERS Chief Executive and Jon Walsh, ERS Chair.