The Private Members’ Bill (PMB) ballot for this Session has been drawn, giving 20 MPs the opportunity to introduce a law of their choice. Potential bills could include proposals such as assisted dying, but what are the real chances of success? We talk to PMB expert, Dr. Daniel Gover, to understand the value of these bills and what to watch out for in the coming months.
While Parliament was in recess the Government announced a means-test for the Winter Fuel Allowance, aimed at addressing what it says is a £22 billion deficit in the public finances. This change, implemented via a Statutory Instrument, has prompted the Opposition to table a ‘prayer’ motion to overturn the decision. Labour MPs are facing intense pressure in their constituencies, particularly from aggrieved pensioners. So, will this be the first big test of Keir Starmer’s hold on his parliamentary troops?
The first few Government Bills has successfully passed through the House of Commons this week. Their smooth passage raises questions about the Government’s approach to legislative scrutiny. As the 100-day deadline for introducing key bills looms, we assess what’s next for the Government’s legislative agenda.
Jeremy Corbyn, alongside five independent MPs who ran on a pro-Palestinian platform in the last election, has formed the 'Independent Alliance.' The group hopes it will give them an advantage in the selection of parliamentary questions and debates. But can this informal alliance give them a strategic advantage?
Next week marks the close of nominations for the election of new Select Committee chairs. We analyse the key contenders and their potential to hold the Government to account in the months ahead.
Dr Daniel Gover
Daniel Gover is a senior lecturer in British Politics at Queen Mary University of London. His research focuses on the UK Parliament and constitution, particularly the legislative process and Private Members' Bills. Prior to taking up a position as a lecturer, Daniel worked at the Constitution Unit at UCL and in 2017 co-authored a book with Professor Meg Russell on Parliament's influence over legislation, Legislation at Westminster: Parliamentary Actors and Influence in the Making of British Law. He also worked at Queen Mary's Mile End Institute, researching the 'English Votes for English Laws' procedure in the House of Commons.
Winter Fuel Allowance means-test debate: will the Government face down the opposition?
Private Members' Bill ballot: What happens next?
Government Bills and legislative scrutiny: What have we learnt so far?
Jeremy Corbyn and the 'Independent Alliance' group: Will it make a difference?
New Select Committee Chairs: Who are the key candidates?
Hansard Society
Dr Daniel Gover, Queen Mary University of London
Constitution Unit, UCL
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You are listening to Parliament Matters, a Hansard Society production, supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Learn more at hansardsociety.org.uk/pm.
[00:00:18] Ruth Fox: Welcome to Parliament Matters, the podcast about the institution at the heart of our democracy, Parliament itself. I'm Ruth Fox,
[00:00:24] Mark D'Arcy: And I'm Mark D'Arcy. Coming up this week..
[00:00:26] Ruth Fox: Now is the winter fuel allowance of Labour's discontents. Will this be the first big test of Keir Starmer's hold on his parliamentary troops?
[00:00:35] Mark D'Arcy: The legislative lottery's been drawn. 20 MPs have a chance to bring in the law of their choice. So what might they choose, and what are their chances? We talk to Private Members Bill expert Daniel Gover.
[00:00:45] Ruth Fox: And a new generation of select committee chairs is about to be elected. Will they be stringent scrutineers of the government?
[00:00:53] We look at the runners and riders.
[00:01:04] Mark D'Arcy: But first, Ruth, we've got to talk about, as you say, what may emerge as Keir Starmer's first big parliamentary test. The vote will be coming up next Tuesday on the winter fuel allowance and his attempt to restrict it to the worst off pensioners.
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The UK Spending Review outlines how Government funds will be allocated over several years. Unlike the Budget, which raises revenue, the Review decides how it is spent. But how is it approved? What role does Parliament play if it doesn’t vote on the Review itself? This blog explores how the Spending Review works, how it differs from the Budget, and how Parliament holds the Government to account through the Estimates process.
On Friday 13 June, the House of Commons will once again debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Specifically, it will hold a second day of Report Stage, during which the whole House will debate and vote on amendments. This briefing explains the structure of Report Stage, what happened on the first day of Report Stage, how amendments are selected and grouped, on which amendments a decision can still be taken, and the likely sequence of events this Friday, including whether a final vote will take place.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, will deliver a statement on the Spending Review. MPs will resume Report Stage of the assisted dying bill and debate key legislation on football governance, mental health, and planning and infrastructure. Peers and MPs are expected to resolve their standoff over AI and copyright in the Data (Use and Access) Bill. The Commons Defence Committee will hear from the lead reviewers of the Strategic Defence Review, while a Lords Committee will examine the Chagos Archipelago sovereignty issue. The Hansard Society’s Director will give evidence to the Modernisation Committee about access to the House of Commons and its procedures.
In this episode, we explore why ministers keep bypassing Parliament to make major announcements to the media — and whether returning to the Despatch Box might help clarify their message. We unpack the Lords' uphill battle to protect creators’ rights in the Data Use and Access Bill, challenge claims that the Assisted Dying Bill lacks scrutiny, and examine early findings from a Speaker’s Conference on improving security for MPs, as threats and intimidation against politicians continue to rise. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.
Our evidence on treaty scrutiny has been published by the House of Lords International Agreements Committee. Our submission outlines the problems with the existing framework for treaty scrutiny and why legislative and cultural change are needed to improve Parliament's scrutiny role. Our evidence joins calls for a parliamentary consent vote for the most significant agreements, a stronger role for Parliament in shaping negotiating mandates and monitoring progress, and a sifting committee tasked with determining which agreements warrant the greatest scrutiny.
