Jacob Rees-Mogg made the government’s case for parliamentary proceedings to take place over video link. The leader of the House of Commons, an arch-traditionalist, said the innovation was necessary to ensure the work of government could continue despite the coronavirus crisis. ‘In 1349, when the Black Death affected this country, parliament couldn’t sit,’ he said. ‘Thanks to modern technology even I have moved on from 1349 and am glad to say that we can sit to carry out these fundamental constitutional functions’