How can backbenchers and ministers create laws

Question 1

why might it be tricky for backbench MPs to initiate the legislative process

Answer 1

• there are lots of MPs trying to pass bills (competition)
• government may not align with view
• speaker may not like it
• might not have support of political party
• if it’s niche/ unimportant

Question 2

how did Sarah Campion attempt to amend the Criminal Courts and Justice Bill (2014) (tactics and barriers)

Answer 2

• attending meetings of committee that is scrutinising bill
• committee’s/ ministers not accepting bills
• political parties and oppositions stealing ideas/ clauses

Question 2

what is one way that MPs can more directly influence legislation

Answer 2

putting forward a private members bill

Question 3

what are the three ways of getting a private members bill through

Answer 3

1. Ballot
2. Ten Minute Rule Bill
3. Presentation

Question 4

what is the Private Members Bill Ballot

Answer 4

20 names of MPs are drawn from a ballot. There is allocated time on 13 Fridays for the bill to be debated. Can be filibustered! Also some are handed out to MPs by government…

Question 5

what is filibustering

Answer 5

act in an obstructive manner in a legislative assembly, especially by speaking at inordinate length.

Question 6

what is the Private Members Bill Ten Minute Rule Bill

Answer 6

MPs have 10 minutes to make a speech to introduce a bill, or talk about existing legislation. Few succeed, so often used to give publicity to an issue. Second reading not guaranteed.

Question 7

what is the Private Members Bill Presentation

Answer 7

An MP presents a bill to the floor of the house by introducing the name of the bill. There is no debate at this point. And a second reading is unlikely to happen. It is more of an announcement than anything else.

Question 8

rank the three ways of getting a private members bill through from most powerful to least powerful

Answer 8

1. Ballot
2. Ten Minute Rule Bill
3. Presentation

Question 9

why are private members bills so important for MPs

Answer 9

• personal to them
• raises the profile of your campaign

Question 10

why is it so challenging for MPs to have their private members bills make progress

Answer 10

• MPs are picked from ballot - only 20/650
• not many time slots left after that

Question 11

how can ministers legislate without parliament?

Answer 11

secondary legislation:
- parliament delegates power to ministers to legislate in specific policy areas
- approximately 3,500 pieces of secondary legislation is passed per year
- these are known as statutory instruments
- cover policy areas like immigration, taxation, and education
- statutory instruments committee - holds them accountable