How to effectively engage with the legislative process
by Emily Bourne, Christian Concern:
When we think of the legislative process, our minds are drawn to images of rowdy and adversarial debates in the House of Commons.
However, this is only one part of what can be a complex and lengthy process whereby Parliament considers and approves bills which then become law.
It can sometimes feel as if we have no control or influence over the shaping of legislation, leading to feelings of apathy and indifference. But there are number of opportunities to engage with the process at its different stages. It is important to be aware of these as we seek to impact legislation for the glory of God.
Lords and Commons
The UK has a bicameral parliamentary system. This means that our legislative body, Parliament, is made of two chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Bills can be introduced in either chamber but both Houses must agree to the same version of the bill before it becomes law.
After being formally introduced at the First Reading, the Second Reading of a bill is the first opportunity for MPs or Lords to debate the core underlying principles of the bill. A line by line examination of the bill will then take place at the Committee Stage, after which the Report Stage offers further opportunities for scrutiny and potential amendments.
The Third reading is the final chance for the bill to be debated and, once both Houses have agreed any final amendments, it is sent to the Monarch to receive Royal Assent.
Although the process is virtually the same in both Houses, there are subtle differences which provide multiple opportunities to influence legalisation.
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