UK Parliament
Private Members’ Bill ballot to be held on 20 May
14 May 2021
2021
Backbench MPs will have the chance to make their mark on the law if they are successful in Thursday’s Private Members’ Bill ballot.
The ballot, which takes place at the start of every parliamentary session, will be held at 9am, and will be streamed live on parliamentlive.tv.
Private Members’ Bills are a type of Public Bill introduced by MPs who are not Government Ministers. This year, MPs wishing to participate in the Ballot will enter their name against a number by email.
Twenty numbered ballot balls will be drawn by Chairman of Ways and Means, Rt Hon Dame Eleanor Laing, with the names of the successful MPs read out. The draw takes place in reverse order, meaning the last MP to be called will get the coveted place at the top of the ballot. Those drawn highest in the ballot have the best chance of making progress with their Bill.