How motions work

How a proposal is put before the House, debated, amended and decided.

3. Debate and amendments

Members debate the motion. A member may propose an amendment to its wording; an amendment must be relevant to the motion, and the House decides on it before returning to the main question.

The mover usually has the right to reply at the end of the debate.

Key points

  • Speaking time is regulated by the Standing Orders and the Speaker.
  • Amendments are decided before the main question.
  • The mover replies before the question is put.

Who is involved?

  • Members of the House
  • Member proposing an amendment
  • Speaker

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