13.) Private Members Bills Flashcards
What’s a bill called when it’s drafted by ordinary MPs?
Private members’ bills
What are the three types of private members bill?
-Ballot bills
-Ten minute rule bills
-Presentation bills
How many Friday sittings are reserved for ballot bills?
13
What is the first step in the ballot bill process?
Backbench MPs enter a ballot every year and 20 names are picked from it
What will some picked MPs do that links to the executive (PM) branch?
Adopt a government bill called a “handout”
Why might the government offer this?
Because they don’t have a timetable for that bill, or don’t think it’s politically advantageous to push it through themselves
Name an example of a ballot bill?
The Emergency Workers (offences) Act 2018
What’s another type of bill?
Ten minute rule bill
What is a ten minute rule bill?
MPs put their thoughts on a law into legislative language, in the hopes of securing a ten minute slot where they can get support to pass their bill
Who decides who gets one of the speaking slots?
Party whips
Name a successful 10 minute rule bill?
Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017
What’s another type of bill?
Presentation Bill
When are presentation bills presented?
During Friday sessions of Parliament only
At what time during a Friday sitting are presentation bill given?
After all the ballot bills on the order paper are presented
What is the order paper?
The order of business for particular Commons session
Is there any debate during presentation bills?
NO - and the MP delivering the bill doesn’t do a speech either
When has the “no debate/speech” rule been broken?
During the Benn and Cooper-Letwin Acts
Why was this?
Because MPs took control of the parliamentary session from the government
What factors can increase the chance of a PMB passing?
-Uncontroversial
-Luck in being drawn for the ballot
-The government backing a bill
-Exceptional circumstances (Brexit 2018-19 debates)
What’s another factor that can help an MP get their bill through Parliament?
Backbenchers pressuring the government E.G - Labour backbencher’s and the 2006 Corporate Manslaughter Bill
