The “ballot” (it could more accurately be called a “raffle”) for Private Members’ Bills in the House of Commons will take place on Thursday 5th September. The top twenty will be announced the same day.
The twenty MPs will then present their proposed Bills on Tuesday 15th October.
At that stage, only the Title will be required. There is no need for any content.
Most MPs who are not Ministers or Shadow Ministers will have entered their names into the ballot. Most will also not have had the foggiest idea of what subject to choose if they are successful. Therefore, in the few weeks after the 5th September, those towards the top of the list can expect to be lobbied hard by every campaign or pressure group that wants the law to be changed. Dignity in Dying and My Death My Decision are two such groups. Both are seeking to change the assisted dying laws in England and Wales. It is highly likely that one of the MPs towards the top of the list will seek to adopt their cause.
Meanwhile, during all this activity in the House of Commons, Lord Falconer’s Bill will still be on the programme for the House of Lords. It is scheduled for its Second Reading on Friday 15th November. However, the Government has only agreed to provide time for one such Bill, not for two. Therefore the Falconer Bill will probably be dropped if Assisted Dying can be promoted by one of the successful MPs in the Commons.
