Event

Are private members’ bills a good way for MPs to decide on difficult policy issues?

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Government considers how backbench MPs should approach complex issues.

While historically major social reforms – such as decriminalising homosexuality or legalising abortion – have been introduced through private members’ bills (PMBs), most backbench attempts to legislate that do not begin with government support fail to make it onto the statute book. The Procedure Committee has undertaken extensive work and made proposals for reform, but the deficiencies of the PMB process remain largely hidden from public view.

With the attempted passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill shining a spotlight on the PMB process, this Institute for Government event will explore the value and effectiveness of PMBs, and the wider role of backbenchers in shaping policy. Is the current process fit for purpose when it comes to issues that divide opinion and stir public debate? Are there other options that parliament should consider for backbench MPs to raise, debate and legislate on critical social issues?

Speakers

Paul Brand – UK Editor at ITV News  

Dr Daniel Gover – Senior Lecturer in British Politics at Queen Mary University London  

Kim Leadbeater MP – sponsor of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Luke Norbury – Parliamentary Counsel at the Cabinet Office

The event will be chaired by Dr Hannah White – Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.