"So as a starter for ten, is there not a better way of registering votes? Like a little button by their seat to get instant votes? Happens in plenty of tv studios?"
Sounds simple but;
"You have to remember there are more MPS than seats. Where do standing MPS vote?"
Seats can be occupied by any MP. MPs would have to have an electronic identity and password to prevent fraudulent voting and to log on to the system
MPs can currently see how others are voting - how would you replicate this? Is it desirable that you do replicate it.
MPs not present for a debate can still vote but currently have to return to the chamber to do so. If voting electronically they presumably would not have to. Is this a good thing?
The lobbies are informal discussion areas where MPs meet and chat when voting. Would removing this forum have adverse affects on the political process?
Now these are just a few issues that occur to me that would need to be resolved for your, on the face of it, simple idea to be implemented. No doubt there are a lots more and 640 MPS would surely think of a few! At the end of the day the current system works and it is probably simpler just to leave alone, even if does appear old fashioned to an outside observer.
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