Are private members' bills a good way for MPs to decide on difficult policy issues?

An expert panel drew on lessons from the recent assisted dying bill and other PMBs to consider how backbench MPs should approach complex issues.

While historically major social reforms – such as decriminalising homosexuality or legalising abortion – have been introduced through private members’ bills (PMBs), most backbench attempts to legislate that do not begin with government support fail to make it onto the statute book. The Procedure Committee has undertaken extensive work and made proposals for reform, but the deficiencies of the PMB process remain largely hidden from public view.

With the attempted passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill shining a spotlight on the PMB process, this Institute for Government event will explore the value and effectiveness of PMBs, and the wider role of backbenchers in shaping policy. Is the current process fit for purpose when it comes to issues that divide opinion and stir public debate? Are there other options that parliament should consider for backbench MPs to raise, debate and legislate on critical social issues?

To discuss this and more, the IfG brought together an expert panel, including:

Paul Brand, UK Editor at ITV News

Dr Daniel Gover, Senior Lecturer in British Politics at Queen Mary University London

Kim Leadbeater MP, sponsor of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Luke Norbury, Parliamentary Counsel at the Cabinet Office

The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

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