More than a dozen backbench Labour MPs will have the chance to introduce new laws to Parliament following a Private Members’ Bill ballot.
The ballot, which took place earlier this morning, saw 20 MPs have their names drawn to allow them to introduce their own bills in the House of Commons.
Private members’ bills are public bills brought forward by MPs who are not government ministers, with a ballot taking place at the start of every parliamentary session to determine who will be able to do so.
15 Labour MPs were chosen at random from the ballot, with Spen Valley MP Kim Leadbeater drawn in the top position in the ballot – meaning their bill has the best chance of making progress in Parliament.
Norwich South MP Clive Lewis, Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister and Edinburgh South West MP Scott Arthur are also all but guaranteed a full day’s debate on their bill after placing in the top seven in the ballot.
Each MP must decide on the bill’s topic, with 13 Fridays in each parliamentary session allocated to debating those bills.
Chairman of ways and means and Conservative MP for Sussex Weald Nusrat Ghani, who presided over the draw, said: “Private members’ bills have led to many changes to the law in recent years on varied campaigns that impact our lives, such as preventing car theft, providing unpaid leave for carers and recognising British Sign Language as an official language in England, Wales and Scotland.
“Bills to ensure workers keep their tips, supporting those with Down’s syndrome and increasing the minimum age for marriage and civil partnerships to 18 have also become law through this route.
“MPs who are successful in the ballot have a brilliant opportunity to bring forward new legislation and raise awareness of issues of importance to them and their constituents.”
A total of 458 MPs entered the ballot for a chance at presenting a bill to Parliament.
Among MPs of other parties selected in the ballot, four Liberal Democrats and the only TUV MP were chosen, with no Conservatives being successful.
Full list of MPs selected in the ballot (in order)
- Kim Leadbeater, Labour, Spen Valley
- Max Wilkinson, Liberal Democrat, Cheltenham
- Roz Savage, Liberal Democrat, South Cotswolds
- Clive Lewis, Labour, Norwich South
- Josh MacAlister, Labour, Whitehaven and Workington
- Scott Arthur, Labour, Edinburgh South West
- Jim Allister, TUV, North Antrim
- Peter Lamb, Labour, Crawley
- Alex McIntyre, Labour, Gloucester
- Andrew Ranger, Labour, Wrexham
- Jake Richards, Labour, Rother Valley
- Tracy Gilbert, Labour, Edinburgh North and Leith
- Linsey Farnsworth, Labour, Amber Valley
- John Grady, Labour, Glasgow East
- Rachael Maskell, Labour, York Central
- Ruth Jones, Labour, Newport West and Islwyn
- Danny Chambers, Liberal Democrat, Winchester
- Sarah Owen, Labour, Luton North
- Wendy Chamberlain, Liberal Democrat, North East Fife
- Rupa Huq, Labour, Ealing Central and Acton
READ MORE: Sign up to our must-read daily briefing email on all things Labour
SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story – or any other topic involving Labour– contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at [email protected].
SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here for the best briefing on everything Labour, every weekday morning.
DONATE: If you value our work, please donate to become one of our supporters here and help sustain and expand our coverage.
PARTNER: If you or your organisation might be interested in partnering with us on sponsored events or content, email [email protected].
Value our free and unique service?
LabourList has more readers than ever before – but we need your support. Our dedicated coverage of Labour’s policies and personalities, internal debates, selections and elections relies on donations from our readers.
