Newington's Chris White looks at what's next for Parliament after the Queen's Speech.
Hung Parliament – what happens next?
Theresa May set out her Queen’s Speech earlier this week, but her first Parliamentary test will not happen until Wednesday and Thursday next week, when the amendments to the Queen’s Speech are voted on.
The test for Theresa May will be twofold – firstly, to see if she can keep all her own party onside, and secondly which way the DUP vote. Embarrassingly for the Prime Minister and the Conservatives, the negotiations have now been dragging on for two weeks, and it has been over ten days since Number 10 put out a statement saying that a deal had been agreed, before having to issue a clarification. It is unlikely that the DUP will vote against the Government, as to do so would risk putting Jeremy Corbyn, who shared platforms with the IRA, into Number 10.
Even if the DUP decide to abstain, the Conservatives still outvote all the other parties by 316 to 313 (once the non-voting Sinn Fein and Deputy Speakers are taken into account), so as long as there is a full, positive, turnout by Conservative backbenchers then the Government should just squeak through. The real test will then come as the first Bills are voted on just before the summer recess, and in September and October.
Select committees
Whilst the Government will be struggling to get its limited programme through the Commons, MPs will be considering who they want as their new select committee chairs. The two main parties must first agree on the party allocation according to a formula determined by seats won at the election, meaning that the Conservatives lose one chairmanship and Labour gain one. It is likely that the Liberal Democrats may also be allocated one of the minor select committee chairs.
A motion allocating Select Committees to particular parties must be tabled no later than two weeks after the end of the Queen’s Speech, so by Wednesday 5th July, and elections for the Chairs must take place within two weeks of this date - no later than Wednesday 19th July, just before the summer recess. These elections are cross party, unlike the votes for members of the committee which are held on a party basis. There are a number of vacancies in the select committee ranks, the two most prominent at Transport, where Louise Ellman must stand down after serving two terms, and at BEIS, where Iain Wright has stood down from Parliament.
Due to the late Queen’s Speech, it is extremely unlikely that elections for the remaining positions on select committees will be decided by the time the House rises for summer recess on 20 July. Therefore elections for the other members will be held when the House returns in September, and it will be crucial to engage with them given the impact that the independent select committees have on the formation of Government policy.
Private Members Bills
Finally, the Private Members’ Bill ballot will take place on Thursday 29th June, where MPs have the opportunity to propose new pieces of backbench legislation. They will have three weeks to decide the subject of their Bill, with first readings taking place on Wednesday 19th July.
The month will therefore be extremely busy, with the Government and MPs keen to cram in as much as possible before the House rises on 20 July. Newington will be providing full analysis over the next few weeks of the challenges facing the new minority Government both in Europe and at home. We have a number of experts from Government, business and policymaking across a wide range of sectors to help you to respond to potential threats and opportunities, so please do get in touch if we can be of help.
