1 Introduction
1. Public Petitions and Early Day Motions (EDMs)
are procedures which have developed over time in response to changing
circumstances and the changing priorities of Members. Although
procedurally and historically they are quite separate from each
other, they do have a number of characteristics in common. Both
are used by Members to bring to the attention of the House the
concerns of particular groups of the population. Petitions are
explicitly presented by Members on behalf of such groups. EDMs
are frequently drafted by groups or organisations outside the
House and then tabled by Members as demonstrations of support
for them. Both procedures allow the public to engage with Parliament,
either directly, by signing a Petition, or indirectly, by urging
their Member of Parliament to add his or her name to an EDM.
2. These are not the only roles performed by these
procedures. EDMs in particular have been used by Members for a
wide range of purposes. In considering whether the current procedures
governing them are appropriate and effective we must assess how
well they meet the demands which Members reasonably wish to make
of them. But we should do so in the context of the decision of
the House in its Resolution on Connecting Parliament with the
Public that 'the House should make itself more accessible, make
it easier for people to understand the work of Parliament and
do more to communicate its activity to the general public.'[1]
1 CJ (2004-05) 120 Back
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