The Private Members’ Bill Ballot 2023: Winning MPs and their Interests

Which MPs were successful in the Private Members’ Bill (PMB) ballot, and what are their backgrounds and interests? Our latest Dods Political Intelligence report details the 20 MPs given the opportunity to propose new legislation of their choice in this parliamentary session, along with pertinent information on their policy interests and history.

Which MPs were successful in the Private Members’ Bill ballot?

• Labour’s Julie Elliot, a member of the Culture Media and Sport Committee, bagged the coveted top spot.
• Chris Elmore, the vice chair of the Labour party with an interest in matters related to Wales, came second in the draw.
• They were followed by Conservative veteran MP Laurence Robertson, who has a keen interest in policy related to sport and gambling.

For details of the remaining 17 MPs and their Private Members’ Bills, download our comprehensive report.

What happens next for the Private Members’ Bills (PMBs)?

The MPs who were selected on 16 November 2023 are due to give their first reading of the Private Members’ Bills on 6 December. Before then, they can expect to be lobbied by their party, campaign groups, and constituents eager for them to champion a particular cause. A total of 415 MPs participated in the draw which took place against a backdrop of ongoing concerns about the cost of living and conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East. The Ballot also came following the King’s Speech on 7 Nov where the government put forward 21 bills which it hopes to pass in the current session. With a general election due by January 2025, the MPs in the PMB ballot and the government face considerable time pressure to pass legislation.

Ballot bills typically have a higher chance of success than other PMBs as they have priority for the 13 Friday sessions which are set aside for debates on non-governmental legislation.

Members who are drawn high on the ballot can nominate one of the first seven Fridays for their Second Reading, giving them a greater chance of progressing. Come the eighth Friday, bills that have passed the second reading take priority, so have a much greater chance of success.

Often a PMB will only pass into law if it is supported by the government, a factor which inevitably plays into the MPs’ choice of subject. However, government support is no guarantee of success, as was demonstrated in the last parliamentary session where the hunting trophies (import prohibition) bill was effectively filibustered by some Conservative peers. The government has said it wants to pursue some of its legislative agenda through PMB’s, including some of the manifesto commitments that were Included in the dropped Animal Welfare Bill.