MPs have narrowly backed Robin Cook's modernisation of the House of Commons.

After a midnight vote following a traditional marathon nine hour debate, the Commons adopted its biggest shake-up in a generation.

The move towards "normal" office hours generated deep divisions among MPs.

Forum Response: The Work Foundation

Will Hutton, chief executive of The Work Foundation, told ePolitix.com: "The House of Commons is joining the 21st century. The best gentleman's club in London is recognising that it has members from both sexes, and needs to have the same standards of professionalism as the civil society it legislates for, as well as terms and conditions of work that its electorate understands.

"Overall, the proposals should make parliamentary life more accommodating for MPs and their families, and to reconnect parliament with the electorate. Parliamentary business will begin earlier and conclude by 7.00pm on most nights, for example, bringing an end to the traditional 10.00pm vote. Of all the reforms, this one in particular will help towards professionalising parliament.

"It will make a parliamentary career more accessible, creating better balance between men, women and different age groups. Shorter working hours also mean debates and votes can be held at times when they will be better attended and reported. The knock-on benefits for the senior civil service, who work long hours as a direct result of arcane parliamentary practices, should not be underestimated."

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gerald Imison, deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told ePolitix.com: "The proposed changes to the working-day of MP's doesn't have much affect of an affect on our union as we deal mostly with government ministers and very little with constituency MP's. We recommend to most members, when dealing with local issues that are of concern to their local MP's to pre-arrange interviews with them."

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

A spokesman for the British Retail Consortium told ePolitix.com: "The retail sector is a 24 hour, seven day a week industry that operates flexible working patterns to supports a work life balance for its employees whilst meeting meeting consumer demand, so we more than any other sector fully understand the drivers behind the changes in the Commons.

"All political parties have expressed their desire to forge closer links with business and working to more relevant hours is as step towards this aim. We welcome the acknowledgement of parliamentarians that a more effective legislature depends on meeting the needs of their own customers, the voters."

Forum Response: Building Societies Association

A spokeswoman for the Building Societies Association told ePolitix.com: "It is good to see parliament recognising the importance of family friendly policies in the same way that building societies do."

Forum Response: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Nicholas Cole, policy officer at RICS, told ePolitix.com: "RICS welcomes proposals to allow bills to be carried forward from one parliamentary session to another. By allowing ministers to give notice of a 'carry-over motion', important legislation will not be lost and proper parliamentary scrutiny protected."Staging major political announcements at mid-day will be far more conducive to debate, enabling a response from the media and other interested parties later in the same day.

"The current position, of major statements issued in the afternoon, leaves commentators little or no time to respond. RICS welcomes reform of this nature, which can only benefit the democratic process and the wider political community."

Forum Response: Business Services Association

Norman Rose, director general of the Business Services Association, told ePolitix.com: "The changes agreed last night represent an appropriate acknowledgement that parliament has changed and that most MPs are now full-time. They should warmly welcomed.

"It also regularises hours which should lead to better debates and more prime time coverage of parliamentary debates and issues. MPs will be able to lead more normal lives and have more time to deal with constituency matters while in the House.

"Access to MPs should also be easier for those who need to raise policy and legislative issues, since they will not be constrained by evening votes."

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Martin Green, chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com: "I welcome the changes to the way in which parliament works but I want the reforms to go further.

"In particular I would like to see a ban on MPs working outside the Commons and an end to the practice of MPs being members of other parliaments and assemblies."

Forum Response: Unison

A spokeswoman for Unison told ePolitix.com: "Modernising the House of Commons and bringing it into line with the rest of the workforce makes good common sense.

"If more family friendly practices attracts more women as MPs, this can only be welcomed."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Ben Harding, spokesman for Help the Aged, told ePolitix.com: 'If major announcements are to be made earlier in the day, the new working hours of the House of Commons could very well prove advantageous to organisations like Help the Aged, which need to react on a regular basis to political developments.

"It would give us more time to consider our response and contact the media to discuss the issues. The shorter summer recess would also mean less 'down time' in policy terms. Obviously, Help the Aged recognises the fact that many working people are also carers for children or older relatives, so flexibility of working hours is not just a matter of convenience. For some, it is a necessity."

Forum Response: Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Robin Hutchinson, head of communications for Guide Dogs, told ePolitix.com: "Bringing the hours of the House more in line with other organisations working patterns could create better understanding and more opportunity for meeting and communicating with MP's.

"We will monitor the effect of these changes and hope very much that they will increase the potential for constructive input from the voluntary sector to the national debate."

Forum Response: Construction Products Association

Jean Emblin, external affairs director at the Construction Products Association, told ePolitix.com: "My first thought is that this will reduce accessibility to MPs at lunch time, which has been the most successful time for attracting MPs to industry briefings.

"However, it could be that evening briefings will have a better attendance with MPs not having to dash back to the House for voting. I also think that the proposal to carry over debates on bills from one parliamentary session to another is sensible."

Forum Response: The Disabilities Trust

A spokesman for the Disabilities Trust told ePolitix.com: "While a more sensible recognition of the realities of working life is welcome in any House of Commons reform, it is important that these changes do not lead (intentionally or otherwise) to a real decline in the opportunities for members of parliament and opposition parties to question the government and its policies.

"This is of obviously of great importance to organisations such as ourselves lobbying on behalf of an all too often disadvantaged section of society; people with disabilities".

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "The reforms will not directly affect how we deal with government, as our meetings with MPs and Ministers tend to be during 'normal' working hours.

"However, finishing Commons sessions earlier may allow constituents who have to work during the 'usual' 9 to 5 day greater access to their MPs in the evenings.

"The modernisation plans will, I'm sure, be of benefit to MPs and their families. Even if MPs cannot return home, they will be able to communicate with their families during the evenings. The reforms also send an important family-friendly message to employers about the importance of home and family life."

Forum Response: Timber Trade Federation

A spokesman for the Timber Trade Federation told ePolitix.com: "Any reform that detracts from the work and importance of the select committee system is bound to be detrimental to the ability to properly monitor the work of the government. However more sociable the new hours maybe this is poor return for a weakening of executive accountability."