Enhancing the Backbench MP's Role As a Legislator: The Case for Urgent Reform of Private Members Bills

Abstract

Private Members Bills (PMBs) should provide an important opportunity for backbench MPs to initiate legislative proposals as well as policy debate, to check the executive, and to respond to issues of public interest and concern. In recent decades, however, the number of PMBs receiving Royal Assent has steeply declined. Executive control of the timetable has strangled many, and procedural vulnerability has thwarted others, including many that enjoyed broad parliamentary support and commanded public interest. Despite many recent reforms in other areas of the legislative process, the executive and key parliamentary committees have proven impervious to calls for reform of the PMB process. But there are signs that this may be about to change in light of the parliamentary expenses scandal and the renewed interest in the role and function of MPs and the issue of trust and confidence in parliamentarians that this crisis has generated. This article outlines the current procedural problems with the system, explores what the benefits of an effective PMBs system are, analyses what the options for reform might be and how in light of changing political circumstances at Westminster, we might be on the cusp of much needed and potentially far reaching reform in this area.