Debates in Parliament

One of the most significant functions of Parliament is to debate the government’s legislative programme. This not only enables MPs to weigh up the likely impact of Public Bills, but also confers legitimacy on the subsequent legislation.

MPs also debate Private Members’ Bills.

Case study October 2024 Two Private Members’ Bills

were presented in the House of Commons, each with different chances of passing. One PMB, introduced by Kim Leadbeater from Labour in Spen Valley, aims to legalise assisted dying. The other, from Josh MacAlister of Labour in Whitehaven and Workington, seeks to ban smartphones in schools. PMBs are proposed by MPs who are not part of the government or opposition, and they rarely progress through all the necessary legislative steps. Between the 2015 and 2024 General Elections, Conservative backbench MP Christopher Chope introduced 168 PMBs, but only one became law.

The chances of a PMB succeeding are often low due to limited time on the legislative calendar, lack of government backing, and resistance from fellow MPs. The most promising way for a PMB to advance is by winning a ‘backbench ballot’, which is a lottery that grants MPs the opportunity to introduce a bill.

Despite the challenges, there are reasons why a backbench MP might choose to introduce a PMB. It can raise awareness about an important issue and demonstrate to voters that their MP is active and fighting for them. It can also pressure the government to consider changing laws. Lastly, the chance of making a significant change to the law can be a prestigious accomplishment for an MP. For example, successful PMBs have led to the legalisation of abortion and the abolishment of capital punishment.

Of the two PMBs introduced, the Assisted Dying Bill has a better chance of passing. This is because Keir Starmer has mentioned that he will allow a ‘free vote’ on this issue in the House of Commons, meaning MPs can vote according to their beliefs rather than following party lines. In contrast, the smartphone bill is unlikely to be a ‘free vote’, and the government currently shows little support for it. This bill proposes increasing the age of "internet adulthood" from 13 to 16, making it illegal for anyone under 16 to have a social media account. Although the government acknowledges the negative effects of smartphones on young people, they have stated there are “no plans to legislate” on this matter. However, it is possible that Labour may take action on this issue at some point during the Parliament, and the ongoing discussion could influence progress.

There are several further ways in which MPs can scrutinise the executive and debate issues of public concern.

The parliamentary Backbench Business Committee

The Backbench Business Committee was established in 2010 and provides backbench MPs with 35 days a year in which they can control parliamentary business. MPs can ask to raise any issue with the committee, which is an opportunity to generate debate on areas that might otherwise be neglected by government. In 2021–22, some of the debates the committee arranged included the Black History Month, gender-specific religious persecution and on St Patrick’s Day 2022, the role of the Irish in Britain.

The Petitions Committee

In 2015, the Petitions Committee was created to schedule debates on petitions that had reached 100,000 signatures. In March 2022, for example, the committee arranged an important debate on waiving visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees.

Adjournment debates

Adjournment debates take place at the end of each day’s sitting. MPs can apply to the speaker to ask a minister a question. When the MP has asked their question and the minister has responded, other MPs may ask questions if the minister and backbencher agree. Adjournment debates are limited to 30 minutes and are rarely attended by many MPs, but they can raise issues of significant public interest. For example, in 2020, Neil Parish MP’s adjournment debate called on the BBC to protect regional news programmes.

Early day motions

Early day motions are motions introduced by MPs urging debate on a specific issue. Most do not reach the floor of the House of Commons. However, they can demonstrate parliamentary support for a particular issue, especially if a significant number of MPs lend their support to the motion.

Emergency debates

Under House of Commons standing order 24, an MP may request an emergency debate. If the speaker allows, an MP has three minutes to make the case in the chamber for an emergency debate. If the speaker allows it, the House of Commons can decide whether the emergency debate will take place. On 3 September 2019, Oliver Letwin’s case for an emergency debate on the House of Commons blocking a no deal Brexit was approved by the then speaker John Bercow. When it passed (328–301) this enabled the Commons to successfully demand that the government extend its Brexit negotiations by a margin of 329–300.

Urgent questions

If an MP believes that an issue needs a minister to address it at once, they can apply to the speaker to ask an urgent question. If the speaker decides that this will serve the public interest, the minister is required to explain to the House of Commons ‘what the government is doing on the issue raised’. In January 2022, speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle granted Angela Rayner an urgent question to the prime minister on whether he had knowingly broken lockdown restrictions by attending Downing Street parties during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The effectiveness of parliamentary scrutiny and debate is disputed.

Party Discipline and Elective Dictatorship

Parliament's effectiveness at Scrutiny

On a three- line whip, MPs can be just as much swayed by their whips as by arguments, and adjournment debates can often be in front of an almost empty chamber. Many debates, for example on e-petitions and on opposition day motions, also lack the force to change the law.

However, MPs can be independent-minded, and strong arguments can determine the result of a vote with profound consequences. In December 2021, the House of Commons debate on the introduction of Covid-19 passes in England generated powerful arguments on both sides over the extent to which the government can intrude in people’s private lives.

December 2023 . Rishi Sunak suffers his FIRST Commons defeat as PM over the infected blood scandal 246 to 242 in favour of a new body to help compensate - government majority wiped out Win for Labour, forcing him into a £20 billion spending commitment this year Link Role of backbenchers, power of PM