House of Commons Disqualification (Amendment) Bill | TrackPolitics

House of Commons Disqualification (Amendment) Bill

A Bill to disqualify for membership of the House of Commons any person who holds the office of Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, Deputy Chief Whip, Government Whip, Assistant Government Whip, Chief Opposition Whip or Assistant Opposition Whip; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Last Updated

1 May 2012

In Plain English

AI-generated

This bill would disqualify anyone who holds certain party whip offices from being a Member of the House of Commons. It lists the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, Deputy Chief Whip, Government Whip, Assistant Government Whip, Chief Opposition Whip, and Assistant Opposition Whip as positions that would prevent someone from sitting as an MP.

Key Points

Disqualifies MPs who hold listed whip offices from membership of the House of Commons.
Covers both government and opposition whips, including the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury.
If a person currently holds one of these posts, they would lose their seat in the Commons.
Changes eligibility to be an MP rather than altering party rules or broader constitutional arrangements.
Currently at the 2nd Reading in the House of Commons; next steps would involve detailed scrutiny in committee.

Progress

The bill is at the second reading stage in the House of Commons, an early point in its passage. If it progresses, it would move to committee for detailed examination.

Who is affected?

Members of the House of Commons who hold the listed whip offices (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, Deputy Chief Whip, Government Whip, Assistant Government Whip, Chief Opposition Whip, Assistant Opposition Whip)Political parties that appoint whips in ParliamentThe House of Commons as an institution in terms of membership rules

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - House of Commons Disqualification (Amendment)

1 Jan 1970

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress.

Documents (1)

Bill 80 2010-12 (as introduced)

BillCommons

22 Jul 2011

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.