taking part in debates

• Taking Part in Debates

  1. MPs and MSPs make short speeches about the issue

  2. Urge their fellow MPs or MSPs to vote either for or against the motion
• Debates can bring attention to a little-known topic, or put pressure on the Government to listen to what people have to say
• Debate in June 2020


  • Labour held an 'Opposition Day debate on extending the Free School Meals scheme over the Summer holidays
  • Inspired by Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford's plea to the government to do this
  • Many Conservative MPs were planning on supporting a motion that criticised the government for refusing to extend the scheme
  • To avoid this, the government made a U-Turn and agreed to extend the scheme
• Importance of debates


  • They do not actually lead to any change in the law
  • Even if there is unanimous support for a motion, the Government doesn't have to do anything about it
  • Can turn into MPs scoring political points off one another, rather than actually debating the matter at hand
  • Most debates get little coverage in the media, and don't really change anything