Private Member

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase),  a member of a legislative body, especially of the House of Commons, who has no special duties and is not a member of the ministry.

private member

noun

1. a member of a legislative assembly, such as the House of Commons, not having an appointment in the government

Word History and Origins

Origin of Private Member¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

"It's a simple single clause, it could be added to constitutional bill or a private member's bill," she said.

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The government said in November, when it formally supported Dr Chambers' private member's bill, that the "non-commercial" movement of pets had soared from 100,000 in 2011 to over 320,000 in 2023.

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The bill could still run out of parliamentary time if it is held up in the Lords, but the Labour MP who steered it through the Commons as a Private Member's Bill, Kim Leadbeater, said: "I would be upset to think that anybody was playing games with such an important and such an emotional issue".

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"It calls into question again whether this bill is fit for purpose and whether this private member's bill process is suited to deal with such significant and profound issues of life and death."

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Mr Hamilton says changes are needed to provide greater safeguards, and his private member's bill on attorney powers is due for its second reading in June.

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