The annual Battle for the Bills has commenced. And we’re right in the thick of it!
Proposing new laws is generally the preserve of the government apart from a once-a-parliamentary-session ritual known as the Private Members Bill (PMB) Ballot. 20 Chosen Ones have now been drawn from the parliamentary version of a hat. These lucky backbench MPs will get to table a policy they’re passionate about.
Lobby groups the length and breadth of the land will be poised to leap on those drawn in the ballot, to convince them to take up their cause. The proposals are debated in order so many don’t get to see the light of day (well, the light of the House of Commons to be more precise) as so little time is actually set aside for PMBs. Those in the top 7 will be hounded the most as they get to choose time slots first so are normally ensured a decent hearing.
So, all this considered, bagging a bill ain’t easy! But we’re up for the fight. Are you? The Chosen Ones will be making their minds up right now. We need everyone to get behind us on this one … have you emailed your MP yet? If they’re not one of the lucky 20, they might be friends with someone who is!
To address a few frequently asked questions; this blog explains how it will be different this time round. Put simply, it’s a question of time … we gained a huge amount of ground with the Daylight Saving Bill, so wonderfully spearheaded by Rebecca Harris MP, that we’re not going from a standing start. We have government support, huge cross-party backing, and the majority of MPs now know the issue well and support the bill.
Having this level of support from the get-go means it’ll be much harder for *certain* MPs (;-) to derail the bill like they did last time. They can blow off steam for as long as they like, and we’ll still have plenty of time for the crucial vote.
Once more in to the breach my friends. Keep everything crossed.