Commons second reading: Recall of MPs Bill
21 October 2014
MPs debated the second reading of the Recall of MPs Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 21 October 2014. The Bill passed second reading without a division and will now be considered in a Committee of the whole House.
The debate was opened by the Minister of State - Cabinet Office, Greg Clark. The Shadow Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, Stephen Twigg, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
- Watch Parliament TV: Second reading debate of the Recall of MPs Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Second reading debate of the Recall of MPs Bill
Related information
Summary of the Recall of MPs Bill
The Bill provides for a recall petition to be triggered if a Member is sentenced to a prison term or is suspended from the House for at least 21 sitting days. If either occurred, the Speaker would give notice to a petition officer, who in turn would give notice to parliamentary electors in the constituency.
A petition would then be open for signing for eight weeks. If at the end of that period at least 10 per cent of eligible electors had signed the petition, the seat would be declared vacant and a by-election would follow. The Member who was recalled could stand in the by-election.
The Bill also introduces rules on the conduct of the recall petition, including campaign spending limits for those supporting and opposing recalling the Member.
Progress of the Bill
The Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 11 September 2014. This is known as the first reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers and related select committee reports, on the Recall of MPs Bill and find out how a bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs and their staff of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.
The Library has published a briefing paper for second reading.
What happens at second reading?
At second reading the House debates the whole principle of a bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.
The Member in charge or the Minister moves the motion 'that the bill be now read a second time'. MPs then debate the bill. At the end of the debate the Speaker determines whether there are any objections to the motion being debated and asks for the Ayes and Noes.
Members voice their opinion, and if no objections are made, the bill passes second reading without a vote. If the Speaker believes Members have voiced disagreement, a division is called and a vote taken.
What happens after second reading?
The Bill will now be considered by a Committee of the whole House over three days following the agreement of the House to a programme motion.
The programme motion also schedules the report and third reading stages to take place over one day (so far as not previously concluded).
Watching proceedings from the public gallery
UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.
This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.