Inside the Private Members' Bill Ballot: 20 MPs win the legislative lottery

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Inside the Private Members' Bill Ballot: 20 MPs win the legislative lottery - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 46

6 Sep 2024

©House of Commons

The Private Members’ Bill (PMB) ballot for this Session has been drawn, giving 20 MPs the opportunity to introduce a law of their choice. Potential bills could include proposals such as assisted dying, but what are the real chances of success? We talk to PMB expert, Dr. Daniel Gover, to understand the value of these bills and what to watch out for in the coming months.

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While Parliament was in recess the Government announced a means-test for the Winter Fuel Allowance, aimed at addressing what it says is a £22 billion deficit in the public finances. This change, implemented via a Statutory Instrument, has prompted the Opposition to table a ‘prayer’ motion to overturn the decision. Labour MPs are facing intense pressure in their constituencies, particularly from aggrieved pensioners. So, will this be the first big test of Keir Starmer’s hold on his parliamentary troops?

The first few Government Bills has successfully passed through the House of Commons this week. Their smooth passage raises questions about the Government’s approach to legislative scrutiny. As the 100-day deadline for introducing key bills looms, we assess what’s next for the Government’s legislative agenda.

Jeremy Corbyn, alongside five independent MPs who ran on a pro-Palestinian platform in the last election, has formed the 'Independent Alliance.' The group hopes it will give them an advantage in the selection of parliamentary questions and debates. But can this informal alliance give them a strategic advantage?

Next week marks the close of nominations for the election of new Select Committee chairs. We analyse the key contenders and their potential to hold the Government to account in the months ahead.

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Our guest

Dr Daniel Gover

Daniel Gover is a senior lecturer in British Politics at Queen Mary University of London. His research focuses on the UK Parliament and constitution, particularly the legislative process and Private Members' Bills. Prior to taking up a position as a lecturer, Daniel worked at the Constitution Unit at UCL and in 2017 co-authored a book with Professor Meg Russell on Parliament's influence over legislation, Legislation at Westminster: Parliamentary Actors and Influence in the Making of British Law. He also worked at Queen Mary's Mile End Institute, researching the 'English Votes for English Laws' procedure in the House of Commons.

What we talked about on this episode

Winter Fuel Allowance means-test debate: will the Government face down the opposition?
Private Members' Bill ballot: What happens next?
Government Bills and legislative scrutiny: What have we learnt so far?
Jeremy Corbyn and the 'Independent Alliance' group: Will it make a difference?
New Select Committee Chairs: Who are the key candidates?

Resources

Hansard Society

Dr Daniel Gover, Queen Mary University of London

Why a House of Lords private member's bill on assisted dying is one to watch this week (The Conversation)

Constitution Unit, UCL

Dr Tom Fleming - What is the point of maiden speeches?

Transcript

Please note, this transcript is automatically generated. There are consequently minor errors and the text is not formatted according to our style guide. If you wish to reference or cite the transcript copy below, please first check against the audio version above. Timestamps are provided for ease of reference.

You are listening to Parliament Matters, a Hansard Society production, supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Learn more at hansardsociety.org.uk/pm.

[00:00:18] Ruth Fox: Welcome to Parliament Matters, the podcast about the institution at the heart of our democracy, Parliament itself. I'm Ruth Fox,

[00:00:24] Mark D'Arcy: And I'm Mark D'Arcy. Coming up this week..

[00:00:26] Ruth Fox: Now is the winter fuel allowance of Labour's discontents. Will this be the first big test of Keir Starmer's hold on his parliamentary troops?

[00:00:35] Mark D'Arcy: The legislative lottery's been drawn. 20 MPs have a chance to bring in the law of their choice. So what might they choose, and what are their chances? We talk to Private Members Bill expert Daniel Gover.

[00:00:45] Ruth Fox: And a new generation of select committee chairs is about to be elected. Will they be stringent scrutineers of the government?

[00:00:53] We look at the runners and riders.

[00:01:04] Mark D'Arcy: But first, Ruth, we've got to talk about, as you say, what may emerge as Keir Starmer's first big parliamentary test. The vote will be coming up next Tuesday on the winter fuel allowance and his attempt to restrict it to the worst off pensioners.

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