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EU referendum bid turns to private member's bill ballot EU referendum: Focus on draw for private member's bills
(about 1 hour later)
Conservative MPs demanding legislation paving the way for a referendum on Europe may now turn their attention to the ballot for private member's bills. Conservative MPs demanding legislation paving the way for a referendum on Europe may get the chance for a private member's bill later.
Any Tories given parliamentary time are likely to be encouraged by colleagues to adopt a draft bill on a referendum. Tories given Parliamentary time in Thursday's draw for private members' bills may be urged by colleagues to adopt a draft bill on a referendum.
On Wednesday night, more than 100 Tory MPs backed a motion criticising the government's failure to include a bill in the Queen's Speech. On Wednesday night, over 100 Tory MPs backed a motion criticising the absence of a bill in the Queen's Speech.
The move was defeated by 277 votes to 131 as Lib Dems and Labour opposed it.The move was defeated by 277 votes to 131 as Lib Dems and Labour opposed it.
The proposed amendment "expressed regret" that a bill paving the way for a referendum in 2017, as pledged by David Cameron, was not being brought forward this year.The proposed amendment "expressed regret" that a bill paving the way for a referendum in 2017, as pledged by David Cameron, was not being brought forward this year.
Backers of the amendment included 116 Tory MPs, representing half of all the party's backbenchers. Backers of the amendment included 116 Tory MPs, representing half of all the Party's backbenchers.
Conservative backbenchers were given a free vote - meaning they were allowed to vote whichever way they chose - although ministers were instructed to abstain.Conservative backbenchers were given a free vote - meaning they were allowed to vote whichever way they chose - although ministers were instructed to abstain.
Senior Tories denied the result amounted to a rebellion and said they were united on the issue.Senior Tories denied the result amounted to a rebellion and said they were united on the issue.
However, Labour said it was a big blow to Mr Cameron's authority.However, Labour said it was a big blow to Mr Cameron's authority.
Including tellers, MPs who count the votes, 133 MPs supported the amendment. They included 116 Conservatives - more than half of all Tory MPs who are not part of the government.Including tellers, MPs who count the votes, 133 MPs supported the amendment. They included 116 Conservatives - more than half of all Tory MPs who are not part of the government.
Also backing the amendment were 11 Labour MPs, four Democratic Unionists, Lib Dem MP John Hemming and Respect's George Galloway.Also backing the amendment were 11 Labour MPs, four Democratic Unionists, Lib Dem MP John Hemming and Respect's George Galloway.
MPs - including the 116 Tories who backed the amendment - are now waiting to see if they will be among the 20 chosen in a ballot at 09:00 BST to introduce their own legislation. MPs - including the 116 Tories who backed the amendment - are now waiting to see if they will be among the 20 drawn first in a ballot at 09:00 BST to introduce their own legislation.
Members at the top of the list are usually lobbied hard by campaigners who want their issue debated. Many do not announce their proposed topic for a few days. Members at the top of the list are usually lobbied hard by campaigners who want their concerns debated. Many do not announce their proposed topic for a few days.
Over the past week many Conservative MPs have been irritated that the prime minister's promise of an in-out referendum by the end of 2017 was not mentioned in the Queen's Speech, which sets out the government's plans for the year ahead.Over the past week many Conservative MPs have been irritated that the prime minister's promise of an in-out referendum by the end of 2017 was not mentioned in the Queen's Speech, which sets out the government's plans for the year ahead.
The draft bill published by the Conservatives was an effort to calm tensions. But it cannot be introduced by the government as it is not supported by the Tories' coalition partners, the Lib Dems.The draft bill published by the Conservatives was an effort to calm tensions. But it cannot be introduced by the government as it is not supported by the Tories' coalition partners, the Lib Dems.
The leadership hopes that it will be taken on by a backbencher, with it being debated in the non-government time available for private member's bills.The leadership hopes that it will be taken on by a backbencher, with it being debated in the non-government time available for private member's bills.
Given that the Conservatives do not have a Commons majority, and the limited parliamentary time available for private member's bills, it would be highly unlikely to enter law but would act as a signal to backbenchers of the prime minister's intent.Given that the Conservatives do not have a Commons majority, and the limited parliamentary time available for private member's bills, it would be highly unlikely to enter law but would act as a signal to backbenchers of the prime minister's intent.
Private member's bills rarely become law although some have brought about significant changes to the law, such as the Murder (Abolition of the Death Penalty) Act 1965 and the Abortion Act 1967.Private member's bills rarely become law although some have brought about significant changes to the law, such as the Murder (Abolition of the Death Penalty) Act 1965 and the Abortion Act 1967.
The last two ballots have, by chance, been topped by the Labour MP John McDonnell - but both his proposed bills failed to make it into law.The last two ballots have, by chance, been topped by the Labour MP John McDonnell - but both his proposed bills failed to make it into law.
One failed to gather enough support and the other ran out of parliamentary time.One failed to gather enough support and the other ran out of parliamentary time.
In the 2012-13 parliamentary session, 10 private member's bills made it into law - most of which were quite narrowly focused, such as Neil Carmichael's Antarctic Bill, Simon Kirby's Disabled Persons' Parking Badges Bill and Peter Aldous's Mobile Homes Bill.In the 2012-13 parliamentary session, 10 private member's bills made it into law - most of which were quite narrowly focused, such as Neil Carmichael's Antarctic Bill, Simon Kirby's Disabled Persons' Parking Badges Bill and Peter Aldous's Mobile Homes Bill.