Private Members’ bills

Severe budgetary and time restrictions coupled with an increasing workload means that MPs will often be grateful for any secretarial assistance with taking forward a bill, should the seriousness of an issue be demonstrated to them. The November ballot for private Members’ bills is accompanied by a stampede by interest groups to deliver their pre-packaged (pre-fabricated?) bill to Members who may not have a private issue ready for debate. The Government of the day is also not slow to use compliant backbenchers of either party to drive forward their own agenda. There are a number of reasons for doing this. Either it aids them to get a small piece of legislation through without using government time, thus clearing the way for more important parts of their programme, or alternatively, it can be used to kite-fly a contentious idea, giving party managers the opportunity to gauge the response of the public and fine tune for later introduction as a central part of policy. A bill that will receive both media coverage, and government assistance onto the statute book is a package many MPs would find hard to resist.

Parliamentary questions

The easiest method for a MP to raise an issue is to table a PQ. Most usefully, Members might attempt to reach a minister in their bi-monthly appearance in the House to answer questions on departmental matters. Time constraints in the chamber will generally mean that a written question will have to suffice. Either way they can prove a useful method either to highlight inconsistencies in current legislation or warn government of existing opposition to proposed changes. It is important when tabling written questions that they are well-structured and directed at the relevant minister, or they will almost certainly receive an empty reply.

Adjournment debate

Alternatively MPs may raise constituents’ cases through the means of the half hour adjournment debate, either at the end of the day’s business or in Westminster Hall. This has the advantage of eliciting an extended response from the responsible minister. As such there is often stiff competition by MPs to have their subject chosen by the speaker.

Early day motions

Getting an EDM tabled is a popular campaigning aid. Demonstrating back bench support for an issue, from pensioner welfare to the victory of a local football team, it may be used as a lever to gain parliamentary time for a debate from the business managers or persuade the speaker to pick the issue for an adjournment debate. Providing a quick reference guide for who is interested in what, it can be used as the basis for a contact programme by outside interest groups attempting to form an all-party interest group or as a key to delivering briefings for an approaching debate.

Knowledge of the detail of the parliamentary timetable and the interests of key contacts within the House allows well briefed individuals and interest groups to have issues of concern raised.

Select committees

Select committees are where the power of the backbenchers resides. Essentially tasked to scrutinise the work of departments, they can conduct an enquiry into any area they see fit. Reporting on a cross-party basis the committees perform a valued role as independent assessors, within the context of the political process. Inquiries may range from one or two sessions looking at a small specific area to months long inquiries, demanding reams of evidence and scores of witnesses. Importantly, the government is bound to reply to any report that a committee might agree, and will ideas and initiatives on board as a means to improvement.

The media

Occasionally the media will flex its muscles and create an issue or image which then dominates the political agenda for the succeeding weeks (or even in perpetuity). This will often be followed by a flurry of activity in the House as Members and the Government demonstrate their knowledge of, and commitment to, the latest issue. This is where having an ongoing political programme in place pays huge dividends. Having relevant briefings ready for wrong-footed MPs, as well as knowing whom to target may get an organisation noticed as the key knowledge source on an issue and future first point of contact for MPs individually or as a member of government/industry committees.

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