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Lib Dem Andrew George tops private members' bill ballot Lib Dem Andrew George tops private members' bill ballot
(35 minutes later)
Lib Dems Andrew George and Michael Moore came top in the annual ballot to determine which backbenchers get to propose new laws to Parliament.Lib Dems Andrew George and Michael Moore came top in the annual ballot to determine which backbenchers get to propose new laws to Parliament.
The vote decides which 20 MPs get priority for their selected private members' bills and in what order.The vote decides which 20 MPs get priority for their selected private members' bills and in what order.
Those at the top of the list get more parliamentary debating time.Those at the top of the list get more parliamentary debating time.
The top ranked Tories were Bob Neill, third, and Richard Bacon, fourth. One of them will be expected to bring back the bill for an EU referendum in 2017. The top ranked Tory was Bob Neill, who was third. He is expected to bring back the bill for an EU referendum in 2017.
Conservative MP James Wharton, who topped last year's ballot, saw his bill urging an EU referendum pass through the House of Commons, but fall after it ran out of time in the House of Lords.Conservative MP James Wharton, who topped last year's ballot, saw his bill urging an EU referendum pass through the House of Commons, but fall after it ran out of time in the House of Lords.
It has been widely predicted that the top Conservative in this year's ballot would seek to propose a similar bill calling for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU in 2017 - if it passed through the Commons again, it could be forced into law even if the Lords blocked it again. It was widely predicted that the top Conservative in this year's ballot would seek to propose a similar bill calling for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU in 2017 - if it passed through the Commons again, it could be forced into law even if the Lords blocked it again.
David Cameron, who has said the Conservatives are committed to holding a public vote in 2017 if they win the next election, strongly backed Mr Wharton's bill.David Cameron, who has said the Conservatives are committed to holding a public vote in 2017 if they win the next election, strongly backed Mr Wharton's bill.
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said senior sources had said Mr Neill would re-introduce the EU Referendum Bill.
The full top 20 in the ballot
1. Andrew George, Liberal Democrat, St Ives
2. Michael Moore, Liberal Democrat, Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
3. Robert Neill, Conservative, Bromley and Chislehurst
4. Richard Bacon, Conservative, South Norfolk
5. Jeremy Lefroy, Conservative, Stafford
6. Clive Efford, Labour, Eltham
7. Sarah Teather, Liberal Democrat, Brent Central
8. Julian Sturdy, Conservative, York Outer
9. Mark Spencer, Conservative, Sherwood
10. Jonathan Evans, Conservative, Cardiff North
11. Ian Mearns, Labour, Gateshead
12. Dan Jarvis, Labour, Barnsley Central
13. Jake Berry, Conservative, Rossendale and Darwen
14. Andrew Bingham, Conservative, High Peak
15. Yvonne Fovargue, Labour, Makerfield
16. John Hemming, Liberal Democrat, Birmingham Yardley
17. Christopher Chope, Conservative, Christchurch
18. Mark Lazarowicz, Labour, Edinburgh North and Leith
19. David Davis, Conservative, Haltemprice and Howden
20. Martin Horwood, Liberal Democrat, Cheltenham
Private members' bills are one of the few chances ordinary backbench MPs get to create legislation - the vast majority of new laws originates from the government of the day.Private members' bills are one of the few chances ordinary backbench MPs get to create legislation - the vast majority of new laws originates from the government of the day.
But few private members' bills become law due to the lack of time in the Parliamentary calendar and the annual ballot is always fiercely contested. Last year, 440 MPs entered the ballot.But few private members' bills become law due to the lack of time in the Parliamentary calendar and the annual ballot is always fiercely contested. Last year, 440 MPs entered the ballot.
The deputy speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, presided over the random draw, reading out the names of the top 20 MPs in reverse order.The deputy speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, presided over the random draw, reading out the names of the top 20 MPs in reverse order.
'Sense of excitement''Sense of excitement'
The higher the MP is in the order, the more likely it is that their proposed legislation will be debated in the Commons in the coming months.The higher the MP is in the order, the more likely it is that their proposed legislation will be debated in the Commons in the coming months.
Between now and next April, when the current session is expected to come to an end, 13 Friday sessions will be given over for private members' business.Between now and next April, when the current session is expected to come to an end, 13 Friday sessions will be given over for private members' business.
The first seven bills proposed normally get a full day's debate in the Commons at second reading, when the general principles of bills are considered.The first seven bills proposed normally get a full day's debate in the Commons at second reading, when the general principles of bills are considered.
Traditionally MPs at the top of the list are lobbied hard by people who want specific issues to be chosen, with many not deciding - or announcing - their proposed topic for a few days.Traditionally MPs at the top of the list are lobbied hard by people who want specific issues to be chosen, with many not deciding - or announcing - their proposed topic for a few days.
Mr Hoyle said there would a "sense of anticipation and excitement" among MPs about the draw. Andrew George's office said he had not yet decided what bill to put forward: "He has a few irons in the firs and so is still deciding."
Mr Hoyle said before the draw there was always a "sense of anticipation and excitement" among MPs about the draw.
"The private members' bill ballot is an important event for backbench members," he said."The private members' bill ballot is an important event for backbench members," he said.
"As there is a possibility that proposed Bills may eventually become legislation, Members are keen to debate issues that really matter to them.""As there is a possibility that proposed Bills may eventually become legislation, Members are keen to debate issues that really matter to them."
Defying the oddsDefying the odds
The private members' bills that became law last year concerned reform of the House of Lords, the procedures by which members of the armed forces born abroad apply for British citizenship and guarantees on gender equality in the provision of UK foreign aid and humanitarian assistance.The private members' bills that became law last year concerned reform of the House of Lords, the procedures by which members of the armed forces born abroad apply for British citizenship and guarantees on gender equality in the provision of UK foreign aid and humanitarian assistance.
The MPs who proposed them, Conservatives Dan Byles, Jonathan Lord and Bill Cash, came fifth, third and 18th respectively in last year's ballot.The MPs who proposed them, Conservatives Dan Byles, Jonathan Lord and Bill Cash, came fifth, third and 18th respectively in last year's ballot.
Labour MP John McDonnell defied the odds by topping the ballot in both 2010 and 2012.Labour MP John McDonnell defied the odds by topping the ballot in both 2010 and 2012.
But that did not guarantee success as he failed to win parliamentary backing for a bill that would have seen elections for the post of Bank of England Governor.But that did not guarantee success as he failed to win parliamentary backing for a bill that would have seen elections for the post of Bank of England Governor.
Private members' bill have little chance of success if they are not backed by the government of the day.Private members' bill have little chance of success if they are not backed by the government of the day.
Some private members' bills have brought about significant changes to the law, such as the Murder (Abolition of the Death Penalty) Act 1965, and the Abortion Act 1967.Some private members' bills have brought about significant changes to the law, such as the Murder (Abolition of the Death Penalty) Act 1965, and the Abortion Act 1967.