Parliament - Legislative process of the houses (Function of Legislation and debating)

Question 1

Stages of a bill - Happens in HoC then HoL

Answer 1

First reading - Introduced
Second reading - Full debate and vote
Committee stage - PBC and changes proposed and voted
Report stage/Third reading - Amendments, debate and final vote

Question 2

Private bills

Answer 2

• Put forward by orgs like churches or local authorities
• Concerns something they want the law currently forbids (Road building, land use)
• Not considered by the whole of either house but by relevant committees
• Evidence or petitions can be given to support or counter

Question 3

Private Members’ Bills

Answer 3

Individual MPs put forward, 20 drawn from ballot
Unlikely to succeed due to MPs not showing up
During second reading a single MP can “oppose” - Christopher Chope 2019 upskirting and legal protection to police animals
In that case, bill reintroduced and same could happen again

Question 4

Public bills

Answer 4

Presented by government (will face little resistance)
Introduced as a white paper well before bill phase
If all is well, onto the stages of a bill below.

Question 5

Legislating Successes

Answer 5

• May EU withdrawal bill defeated 14 times by lords, forcing back to commons
• Mays working majority was only 13, meaning little opposition needed to challenge
• Gov doesn’t always get its way - 2010 coalition rebelled in 35% of votes, 2005 MPs defeated blairs extension of holding terror suspects to 90 days

Question 6

Legislative function failures

Answer 6

• Usually, the government holds a strong majority, rarely challenged, Blair went 1997 to 2005 unchallenged. Coalition defeated only twice
• Backbenchers vote with their party due to whips and career

Question 7

Debating function successes

Answer 7

• Due to BBC, MPs have more control over agenda. Syria and Iraq debates ex
• PMs now reluctant to initiate military action without parliament. Cameron syria defeated
  However time is limited, and whips curtail genuine debate