Debate contribution: Standing Order 27A: Voting by Proxy
Debate contribution by Ms Diane Forsythe on .
- MLA
- Ms Diane Forsythe
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 22 October 2024
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Committee Business
- Heading
- Standing Order 27A: Voting by Proxy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4608208
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The Democratic Unionist Party welcomes the creation of the new Standing Order, which will provide Assembly Members with a formal entitlement to a vote by proxy when they are on parental leave, have fostering responsibilities or tragically suffer from complications in pregnancy, including miscarriage, stillbirth or baby loss. There will, of course, be a number of practical and administrative matters to be ironed out by guidance, and the DUP will work alongside other parties on the Assembly Commission to ensure the smooth operation of any scheme. However, the principle of the changes is one we can all stand four-square behind today. It should be a basic requirement, whether in Northern Ireland or further afield, that modern legislatures reflect, as far as is practicable, the challenges faced by elected representatives who balance the position entrusted to them by the electorate with their role as a mother, father or foster carer. Members who are also parents do not seek preferential treatment. It is right, however, that, on balance, the procedures of the House recognise the need for compassionate and flexible arrangements in situations where significant events and changes in personal circumstances place a Member in an almost invidious position. There will be little appetite to use the mechanism frequently, but it is reasonable and proportionate for it to exist. We have worked hard to increase the representation of women in the Chamber, and we want to keep that and improve it. In this mandate, some five of our female MLAs have had babies and been able to maintain their MLA roles. We want to see that continuing. Similar procedures have been put in place in other Parliaments across the United Kingdom. That is vital to ensuring that there is no chill factor for those in society, both now and in the future, who have a desire to seek political office and cherish their roles as parents and caregivers. We feel that exclusions for more significant votes, including those that require cross-community support, are fair and reasonable. The new Standing Order will ensure that the new entitlement is exercisable for the bulk of plenary votes, whilst respecting the role and traditions of this place. The DUP supports the motion.
366 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.03 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.74).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.08 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.03 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.74 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.03 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups | 0.59 |
| Gender, sexuality, abortion and related social issues | 0.41 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:27 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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