MPs returned to Parliament this week following a hybrid approach to the Commons with some MPs attending in person and others contributing via video link.

Some politicians, such as Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron, have voiced concerns over issues of social distancing in Westminster, or that MPs that are shielding or looking after family members will be left disenfranchised by not being able to remotely vote.

Conservative MPs in Cumbria say they are looking forward to getting back to business, as they need to set an example.

Speaking before they returned to Westminster, Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: “The Government’s guidance is rightly that people who can work from home, should work from home. And for the past couple of months, I’ve been able to take part in Parliamentary debates, raise local issues, question ministers and vote all while remaining in the constituency and limiting the risk of catching and spreading the disease.

“So, I think the Government getting MPs to travel from all corners of the country to Westminster sets a shocking example and show its one rule for the Government and another for the rest of the country. Even more seriously it risks MPs picking up the virus and bringing it back with them to their constituencies. It’s important that I represent my constituents so I will go down for key votes and if I’m selected by the Speaker to raise important local issues, but otherwise I will continue to work from home.”

An amendment to allow remote voting to return was defeated by 185 votes to 242, majority 57, following a 46-minute division.

A total of 31 Conservative MPs rebelled to support the amendment, according to the division list.

Mr Farron’s view that this sets a poor example was not shared by his fellow MPs in Barrow and Copeland.

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow, said: “The Speaker and House authorities have done an incredible job of keeping parliament moving during these difficult times - there’s still much in the air such as how voting will work.”

Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland, said: “The nuclear and farming agendas remain critical for Cumbria and I’ll be discussing the support required for tourism and high street businesses during the recovery and reinstatement phases.”