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EU referendum: Focus on draw for private member's bills EU referendum: Tory MP wins private member ballot
(35 minutes later)
Tory MPs demanding legislation paving the way for a referendum on Europe are waiting to see if they get the chance to bring it in as a backbench bill. Eurosceptic Conservative MP James Wharton has topped this year's ballot of private member's bills.
The draw to select the 20 MPs who can bring in private member's bills takes place at 09:00 BST, with the first few guaranteed decent parliamentary time. The Stockton South MP, one of 116 Tory MPs to back a rebel EU amendment on Wednesday, will now get the chance to introduce his own legislation.
The Tories hope one of the lucky MPs will adopt their draft referendum bill. The Conservative leadership will be hoping he takes up its draft EU bill to pave the way for a referendum by 2017.
The draw to select 20 MPs who can bring in their own bills guarantees decent parliamentary time for the first few.
BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said Mr Wharton had told him he did not yet know what he would do.
But four of the top ten names drawn were Conservative MPs who voted for the amendment "regretting" the lack of an EU vote bill in the Queen's Speech on Wednesday, so it seems likely at least one will take up the referendum bill.
Labour MP Paul Blomfield came second in the ballot, Conservative Jonathan Lord was third and Conservative Sheryll Murray - who successfully got a private member's bill through Parliament last year - came fourth.
Tory Dan Byles, Labour's Sir Alan Meale and Labour's Andrew Gwynne came fifth, six and seventh respectively. The top seven are usually allocated a day's debate - giving their bills the best chance of becoming law.
On Wednesday 116 Tory MPs backed a motion to "regret" the lack of an EU vote bill in the Queen's Speech.On Wednesday 116 Tory MPs backed a motion to "regret" the lack of an EU vote 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.
The 116 Tory MPs who backed it represent half of all the party's backbenchers.The 116 Tory MPs who backed it represent half of all the party's backbenchers.
They were given a free vote - meaning they were allowed to vote whichever way they chose - although ministers were instructed to abstain.They 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 - the MPs who count the votes - 133 MPs supported the amendment.Including tellers - the MPs who count the votes - 133 MPs supported the amendment.
Those from other parties backing the amendment were 11 Labour MPs, four Democratic Unionists, Lib Dem MP John Hemming and Respect's George Galloway.Those from other parties backing the amendment were 11 Labour MPs, four Democratic Unionists, Lib Dem MP John Hemming and Respect's George Galloway.
MPs 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. A draft referendum bill published by the Conservatives this week in an effort to reassure their backbenchers could not be introduced by the government as it is not supported by the Lib Dems.
A draft referendum bill published by the Conservatives this week in an effort to reassure their backbenchers cannot be introduced by the government as it is not supported by the Lib Dems. But the Conservative leadership hopes that it will be taken on by a backbencher chosen in the ballot, so it can be debated in the non-government time available for private member's bills.
But the Conservative leadership hopes that it will be taken on by a backbencher, so it can be 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.
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.