Debate

• MPs raise their concerns and can occasionally force the government to change their mind
• Limitations surrounding debates

  • Parliamentary Privilege
  • Limited speaking time - needed to distribute the limited time for a debate (30 mins in Tuesday and Wednesday)
  • Have to apply to speak at the 2nd or 3rd reading of bills - hard to get slots sometimes
• Emergency debates improve democracy as they are only on a specific issue that deserves urgent consideration - usually only in cases of national or international emergency

  • 22 emergency debates 2017-19 with a lot on Brexit
  • 9/9/2021 - failure of the government to produce documents
• Change in debates in recent years

  • more scrutiny - more questions and backbench participation (Backbench Business Committee)
  • Increase in Westminster Hall deabtes - no formal votes but an opportunity to raise profile and have debates - held on Mondays - e.g. Covid petition on hospital car parking charges
• PMQs are much more theatrical than most debates and area generally not as effective but they could be if done well. It could be a good way of holding the PM to account. It is a bit short to properly discuss things but it would be useful to highlight key strengths and weaknesses of the government and opposition