Laura Pidcock: my constituents should be as comfortable in Parliament as Jacob Rees-Mogg Labour MP Laura Pidcock, who was elected for the first time at the snap election in June, has declared that […]

Labour MP Laura Pidcock, who was elected for the first time at the snap election in June, has declared that her constituents should be as comfortable in Parliament as Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Citing the Old Etonian MP’s habit of lying back on his seat, she said Westminster should be “like a community centre” at a panel event in Brighton as part of The World Transformed, Momentum’s Labour conference fringe festival.

“He thinks, I’m just that relaxed, that comfortable, because I deserve to be here – ‘I think I’ll lie down’,” she said.

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

The MP for North West Durham immediately made national waves in June when she said Parliament “reeks of Establishment” in her maiden speech and said it had been intentionally set up to be intimidating.

Not my school

“[Parliament] is your building. It’s like a community centre.” Laura Pidcock

“Some MPs say it reminds them of school – not my school,” she said.

“I want the people I represent to be as comfortable in Parliament as Jacob Rees-Mogg,” she said.

“It’s your building. It’s like a community centre.”

She was speaking at an event called “Corbynism From Below” at which she and fellow panelists Hilary Wainwright, Matt Zarb-Cousin and Maya Goodfellow discussed ways to use a popular movement to improve society – whether in or outside government.

The left-wing Pidcock caused a mini-controversy when she said last month that she could never be friends with a Tory.

And panel chairman Tom Gann of the New Socialist set the tone at the Momentum event when he introduced Pidcock as “absolutely the kind of person we need in the Parliamentary Labour Party – working class and reflective of our membership”.

Really hates Tories

“Also more importantly, she really hates Tories,” he added.

“I’m more convinced now that MPs aren’t that relevant.” Laura Pidcock

The MP also argued for radical politics from the left-wing movement, rather than just MPs “delivering for” constituents.

“People in my constituency think politics is something that’s done to them,” she said.

“I’m more convinced now that MPs aren’t that relevant.

“The movement is what’s sovereign, not MPs.”

Panelists and attendees later moved on to an open discussion about possibilities for “Corbynism from below”, with parliamentary reform playing a prominent part.

One questioner asked whether All Party Parliamentary Groups, which investigate issues, should become “All People Parliamentary Groups”.