“Broken and discredited” Private Member's Bills system should be overhauled, says Procedures Committee

The Commons - credit: PA

Westminster’s “broken and discredited” Private Member's Bills system should be overhauled, according to a new report from MPS.

The Procedures Committee said the current processes, which can allow a handful of filibustering MPs prevent a bill from progressing, “would not have looked out of date in the nineteenth century”.

Today’s report criticises the Government for failing to respond more positively to the committee’s previous recommendations for reform.

Priority for PMBs to be heard in the House of Commons is decided by a ballot at the start of each parliamentary session.

But the Procedure Committee argues that four bills, decided by the Backbench Business Committee on the basis of support and merit, should be given precedence so that there is a better opportunity for MPs’ proposals becoming law.

“Private Members’ bills are the only method for backbench MPs to initiate legislation, but they are no longer taken seriously due to the Government’s refusal so far to make any changes which would risk power leaving their hands for those of backbench legislators,” committee chairman Charles Walker said.

“The current ballot system actively works against those who aspire to be serious-minded and thoughtful backbench legislators. The chance to propose law needs to be more than purely a game of chance, as is currently the case.”

He added that the existing system is “too often an exercise in futility that manifestly misleads the public”.