Roy Jenkins & Private Member Bills (1960s)

Question 1

Roy Jenkins’ Motives (The Labour Case)

Answer 1

• A book produced by Roy Jenkins in 1959
• Laid down the principles of a civilised society
• Wanted to encourage the arts, less restriction of personal freedom
• Shows his want to change society, become more free/modern socially

Question 2

Parliamentary Whips & Private Members Bills Defined

Answer 2

• One-line whip: MPs ‘requested’ to attend the vote, usually don’t, used for uncontroversial/unimportant parliamentary votes
• Two-line whip: More serious instruction to vote, MPs told attendance is necessary, used for more important votes on key policy issues
• Three-line whip: Direct order to MPs, attendance is essential, must vote as instructed, most serious votes like votes of confidence

*Private Members Bills: Public Bills introduced by MPs who aren’t government ministers, introduced from Commons
*Three ways to introduce:
- Ballot: names of Members applying for a Bill, drawn into a ballot, held on 2nd sitting Thursday of a parliamentary session
- 10 Minute Rule: members make speeches no longer than 10 mins, outlining their position
- Presentation: members formally introduce the title of the Bill but don’t speak in support of it

Question 3

Labour’s Motives for Liberal Social Reforms

Answer 3

• Gradual evolution of legislation
• Labour did not set out to do Liberal Reforms in their 1964 manifesto, made no mention of moral issues
• Many MPs were suspicious of change
  -Reforms made to censorship, homosexuality, divorce, abortion and the death penalty is said to mark an important stage of modernising British social attitudes
• Largely the work of Roy Jenkins
• Left such a huge mark on the Home Office that James Callaghan continued his social reform programme
• Many were unhappy with these changes, ‘permissive age’, leading to socially irresponsible behaviour
• Jenkins argued it was a ‘civilised age’

Question 4

The Role of Private Members’ Bills

Answer 4

• Free Votes: MPs could vote according to their own moral conscience rather than following a party line
• Private Member Bills: back benched MPs able to propose social reforms
• Successful as Roy Jenkins was sympathetic, social reforms passed
• Social reforms measures weren’t always a result of Jenkins’ personal initiative
• E.g. Abortion Law, introduced by Liberal MP, David Steele, Jenkins support helped pu them into action