private member's bill

British

noun

a public bill introduced in the House of Commons or the legislative assemblies of Canada, Australia, or New Zealand by a private member

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As a private member's bill, the proposal does not reflect government policy and is unlikely to become law - but it could shape parliamentary debates.

From BBC

It is known as a private member's bill because it was put forward by a backbench MP rather than the government.

From BBC

However, experts say this would be unprecedented for a private member's bill and challenging to implement.

From BBC

The option which was presented most positively is that of a private member's bill - a piece of legislation introduced by a backbench MP.

From BBC

Her spokesman said neither she nor anybody on her behalf had any discussions with Downing Street or party leaders before she decided to adopt assisted dying as the subject of her private member's bill.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023