Monmouthshire County Council leader Richard John has criticised Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns for saying that the House of Commons is ’no place’ for a baby.

Ms Kearns’ comment was made in response to calls to the cross-party Commons Procedure Committee, asking them to examine the rules about babies in the chamber.

Cllr Richard John said: "Several Conservative councillors in Monmouthshire have had babies in the last few years and they’ve been very welcome to bring their newborn baby into our chamber to enable them to take part in proceedings. This is perfectly normal."

CEO of MCC Paul Matthews added: "and long may this continue. It’s never disrupted business or debate - indeed I think at times it may have helped a little in keeping the volume down. I’ve always been a fan of ’don’t raise your voice, improve your argument’"

Resident Saz Willey said: "Good to know inclusive environment is working well in Monmouthshire council meetings. Would be great to see this accepted and welcomed across all tiers of local and national government."

Whilst social media was littered with those who believe that parents of young children should be allowed to bring their children into government chambers, some questioned as to how normalised the practice could be.

Michael Gallagher said: "I’m not sure it is perfectly normal, but that doesn’t make it wrong. I couldn’t take my baby to work, rightly so. However I suppose this is where one rule for elected officials should be different to everyone else to help maintain democracy."