UK lawmakers balk at order to return and end virtual voting

LONDON (AP) — Like many other Britons, U.K. lawmakers have largely been working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Now they are being summoned back to the office and many aren’t happy. They say the government’s decision to scrap a remote-voting system used during the pandemic will turn those who must stay home because of age, illness or family issues into second-class lawmakers. House of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg says lawmakers should be setting an example by showing up in person as the country gets back to work. Britain has had Europe’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak, with more than 39,000 confirmed deaths. The country is only gradually emerging from a nationwide lockdown.