M.E. History: United Kingdom, Attempt to pass a bill on myalgic encephalomyelitis into law, 1988

How a Bill becomes Law (UK):

House of Commons:
  1. First reading
  2. Second reading
  3. Committee stage
  4. Report stage
  5. Third Reading
Then, onto the House of Lords:
  1. First reading
  2. Second reading
  3. Committee stage
  4. Report stage
  5. Third Reading
Then
  1. consideration of amendments
Then
  1. Royal Assent
Looks like this bill was stopped from a Second reading in the House of Commons stage. (i.e. 11 steps short)

As it was introduced by an opposition politician (LAB), the party in power (CON) had the power to stop it being heard early on.
 
Andy said:
From Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_member's_bill#United_Kingdom
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I think this must be what happened to Jimmy Hood's bill:
Wikipedia said:
Contentious bills are likely to run out of parliamentary time unless the government allocates some; any pending private members' bills lapse at the end of each parliamentary session.
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[My bold]

So MPs so-minded can just keep stalling a private members bill until the parliamentary session ends.
 
Thought this could provide some potential insight into the numerous objections that this potential Bill received.

The article is about the attempt to create a law to outlaw upskirting in the UK.
So why did Sir Christopher object?

Sir Christopher is a leading member of a group of backbench Conservatives who make a practice of ensuring that what they see as well-meaning but flabby legislation is not lazily plopped on to the statue book by a few MPs on a poorly attended Friday sitting.

And after all this is a bill to create a new criminal offence, for which people can go to jail.

So, however worthy the cause, he insists on proper, extensive scrutiny, and he has spent most Commons Fridays for the last 20 years doing just that.

Indeed, a few minutes before he blocked the upskirting bill, he forced a delay to Seni's Law, which also had strong support from the government.

He also opposed plans to give police dogs and horses extra legal protections from attack.

The upskirting bill is not dead - there will be other opportunities to get it passed - but they will only succeed if Sir Christopher and his allies can be persuaded not to object again.

The only other alternative is for the government to provide debating time for it, or, far more likely, to add the proposals to a bill of their own.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44496427

So potentially it seems that the conspiracy, if there was one, to block this ME Bill could have been of a different sort than we would naturally assume.
 
@Andy thanks, but that BBC article is frustrating in it's propaganda. A good of example of the omission of important details warping the truth. As if there is just one debate and on a friday and a law pops up on the following monday. Next they'll be complaining that people are mis-informed on important subjects.

I think part of the reason these MP's do this, is they enjoy the notoriety of being seen as lone bulwarks against the tide of 'PC gone mad' and 'the loony left'.

Here's his voting record if we want to judge his opposition to 'flabby' and 'well meaning' legislation. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10103/christopher_chope/christchurch/votes
 
Luther Blissett said:
@Andy thanks, but that BBC article is frustrating in it's propaganda. A good of example of the omission of important details warping the truth. As if there is just one debate and on a friday and a law pops up on the following monday. Next they'll be complaining that people are mis-informed on important subjects.

I think part of the reason these MP's do this, is they enjoy the notoriety of being seen as lone bulwarks against the tide of 'PC gone mad' and 'the loony left'.

Here's his voting record if we want to judge his opposition to 'flabby' and 'well meaning' legislation. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10103/christopher_chope/christchurch/votes
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Oh, for sure. The idea of a group of Tory MPs serving as self-appointed gatekeepers is concerning enough in itself, and a possible problem if Carol Monaghan's efforts pay off.
 
Andy said:
This was originally posted by @Cinders66 here

On 23rd February 1988, Scottish MP Jimmy Hood tried to introduce a Bill in to the UK parliament "to require an annual report to Parliament on progress made in investigating the causes, effects and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis."

Details of this initial attempt can be found here, http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1988/feb/23/myalgic-encephalomyelitis

This bill was supported by MPs, Mr. Alfred Morris, Mr. Jack Ashley, Mr. Brynmor John, Mr. Don Dixon, Mr. Alan Meale, Dr. Lewis Moonie, Mr. Sam Galbraith, Ms. Harriet Harman, Mr. Jimmy Wray, Mr. Tom Clarke and Mr. Jerry Hayes.

.
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and of course Brynmor John had ME and unfortunately died in December the same year after exercising in the gym in Parliament
 
I’m wondering if anyone on the forum based in Wales knows if there are any plans to commemorate 30 years since the death of Brynmor John in December? It seems like an opportunity to highlight ME and both the fact that there is still no disease modifying treatment as well as the detrimental impact of exercise.

ETA @EspeMor are you aware of Brynmor John MP who had ME and died in 1988?
 
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Andy said:
On 23rd February 1988, Scottish MP Jimmy Hood tried to introduce a Bill in to the UK parliament "to require an annual report to Parliament on progress made in investigating the causes, effects and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis."

Details of this initial attempt can be found here, http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1988/feb/23/myalgic-encephalomyelitis

This bill was supported by MPs, Mr. Alfred Morris, Mr. Jack Ashley, Mr. Brynmor John, Mr. Don Dixon, Mr. Alan Meale, Dr. Lewis Moonie, Mr. Sam Galbraith, Ms. Harriet Harman, Mr. Jimmy Wray, Mr. Tom Clarke and Mr. Jerry Hayes.
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So sad to see Brynmor John's name and to think despite his death, nothing happened :-(
 
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