20 February 2024 , 10:28
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This photograph of Tory MPs sat glued to their mobile phones in the Commons on the same day ministers ordered pupils to get off theirs has caused outrage among Mirror readers.
And the seemingly hypocritical 'do as I say, not as I do' appears to have rather undermined the party's tough stance on the issue. Just a few hours before, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan demanded children don’t use their devices at any point during the school day - including break time and lunch. Guidance issued to headteachers says that kids should get lessons explaining the negative consequences of allowing mobiles, including 'loss of focus'.
But shortly after the clampdown was announced, Tory MPs appeared to be the ones finding phones a distraction in the Commons chamber. At one point in Defence Questions, an astonishing five Conservative backbenchers could be seen looking at their screens.
Later, as Treasury Minister Bim Afolami was quizzed on the country being plunged into recession, Business Minister Nus Ghani sat on the frontbench next to him checking her phone.
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Under the new crackdown, children could be stopped from taking mobile phones onto school grounds. Ms Keegan later told LBC: "In terms of mobile phone use in the chamber, I think this has been debated … I do think if there is a debate going on, in the same way we don't want children distracted in the classroom, if you're going to be part of a debate you ought to be listening to the debate."
Mirror reader Deano70 commented: "All mobiles should be blocked in Parliament. It's a place of work, there's no reason for any MP to be glued to their phones. It's the height of ignorance, their focus should be 100 per cent if they're meant to be working for us."
While Bammers said: "It appears they are more interested in their mobiles than running country!"
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