What are Early day motions?
Early day motions (EDMs) are motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons for which no day has been fixed.
As there is no specific time allocated to EDMs very few are debated. However, many attract a great deal of public interest and media coverage.
What are EDMs used for?
EDMs are used to put on record the views of individual MPs or to draw attention to specific events or campaigns. Topics covered by EDMs vary widely.
By attracting the signatures of other MPs, they can be used to demonstrate the level of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.
How many signatures do EDMs attract?
In an average session only six or seven EDMs reach over two hundred signatures. Around seventy or eighty get over one hundred signatures. The majority will attract only one or two signatures.
There is no rule whereby the number of signatures affects the likelihood of an EDM being debated.
Who will not sign EDMs?
Ministers, Whips and Parliamentary Private Secretaries do not normally sign EDMs. The Ministerial Code sets out the standards of conduct expected of ministers and how they discharge their duties, and includes guidance for Parliamentary Private Secretaries.
Neither the Speaker nor Deputy Speakers will sign EDMs as their role requires them to be politically impartial.
Internal party rules may also affect who can sign early day motions.
Why are some EDMs known as 'prayers'?
A 'prayer' is a particular type of EDM that is used, by convention, when MPs wish to object formally to a statutory instrument. If a motion 'praying' that an instrument 'be annulled' is tabled within 40 days of it being laid before Parliament, a debate may be arranged in a Delegated Legislation Committee or, more rarely, in the Chamber.
How many EDMs are there per year?
1,205 EDMs were tabled by MPs during the 2016-17 parliamentary session. Data on EDMs is given in the House of Commons Sessional Returns under 'notices of motions for an early day'.
What are the rules relating to EDMs?
Format
EDMs have a strict format. Each one has a short title, for example, 'Internet Gambling', and a sentence no longer than 250 words detailing the motion.
Subject matter
EDMs must abide by certain rules about their subject matter. The main ones are:
- EDMs may only criticise other MPs, Lords, judges or members of the royal family if that is the main subject of the motion
- no reference should be made to matters before the courts
- no unparliamentary language or irony should be used
- titles must be purely descriptive
Amendments to EDMs
After an EDM has been tabled, other MPs can table amendments to it. Proposed amendments must not increase the motion's length beyond 250 words and any names of MPs cannot also be signatories to the main motion.
Amendments are denoted by an 'A' after the main EDM number followed by a further number to indicate whether it is the first amendment, second and so on, for example EDM 201A1.
Withdrawal of EDMs
The MP in charge of an EDM may withdraw it even if other Members have signed it. Individual names may also be withdrawn.
When an MP withdraws their name (usually because they have signed an amendment to the EDM) the signature on the original EDM will be closed. An MP's name is also withdrawn when they become a Minister.
More information about how an MP can table, sign or withdraw an Early Day Motion is given at: MPs' Guide to Procedure - Early Day Motions
How can I find EDMs?
All EDMs by currently sitting MPs can be traced using the EDM database. It records the full title and text of EDMs and signatures of supporting MPs. A daily update showing new motions and newly added signatures is provided with the daily business papers.
EDMs tabled by former MPs since 1989-90 can be requested from the House of Commons Enquiry Service.
For Early Day Motions prior to 1989-90, enquirers should contact the Parliamentary Archives.