Headline (and some parts of the article) amended based on response from Bob Seely’s office received on Thursday (see below). Ed
The Isle of Wight Conservative MP’s name has been popping up in a variety of media sources around the globe over the past few days. It had nothing to do with the Isle of Wight, the cost of ferries, the rising use of foodbanks or cuts to the council’s government funding, or positive news about the Island, but it certainly grabbed press attention.
In a return to something that Bob Seely had floated around a year ago, this new attempt for a Private Members’ Bill (if you are unfamiliar with PMBs more here) was revealed an article he wrote for the Mail on Sunday (MoS), where he spoke about the “nuclear option” of a Parliamentary Bill to strip the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of their royal titles.
Under fire
As well as coming under fire from local politicians, the Island’s MP has even received criticism from Melanie Phillips, columnist for The Times newspaper, who believes that his attempts to have the law changed would shut off any future reconciliation between Harry and his father, King Charles III.
Although a strong critic of Harry and Meghan, Melanie Phillips says the move “risks looking petty and vindictive”, and that “slamming the door on him [Harry] would be lacking in compassion”.
Lowthion: We need an MP who thinks about the Isle of Wight
In response to the MoS article, Vix Lowthion, the Green Party prospective Parliamentary candidate for Isle of Wight East, said,
“The Royal status of Harry and Meghan is far from the most pressing issue of our times. What is Bob hoping to achieve by tabling this motion – a peerage? A guest appearance on GB News? An invite to a Garden Party?
“We need an MP who thinks about the Isle of Wight – our schools, hospital and clean beaches – much more than he thinks about himself.”
Quigley: Seely’s latest publicity stunt comes as no surprise
Councillor Richard Quigley, Chair of the Isle of Wight constituency Labour Party, told News OnTheWight,
“Bob Seely’s latest publicity stunt comes as no surprise, but will be a disappointment to many Islanders as they continue to struggle with the cost of living crisis, the spiraling cost of ferry travel and failing NHS.”
Quigley: He’s never once forward legislation specific to the Island
Councillor Quigley added,
“He has been in Parliament since 2017 and has never once forward legislation specific to the Island.
“He could have used this time to get the Island deal he promised, or meaningful action on ferry costs, but instead he choses to use his time to try to bring forward a Bill that not even his own party supports.
“As it turns out, he didn’t make the ballot for his motion to be heard, which must be a great relief to the MPs who believe their job is to improve the lives of their constituents. Maybe he’s trying to recreate the same amount of publicity he received for attending a Lockdown-breaking BBQ in May 2020.”
Quigley: His obsession with a young family now living in America does nothing for the Island
Councillor Quigley added,
“I will remind him that our priorities as Islanders are adequate funding for council services, reducing cross-Solent transport costs and being able to get a doctor and dentist appointment.
“His obsession with a young family now living in America does nothing for the Island.”
Stuart: Heard strong public positions, but unfortunately a lot of undelivered promises
Liberal Democrat councillor, Nick Stuart, who is seeking nominations as the prospective Parliamentary candidate for Isle of Wight West, told News OnTheWight,
“The King, Prince William and their families have kept a dignified silence about internal family issues. For a local politician to make a silly pointless statement seems a little distasteful.
“His constituents are more worried about his Government crashing the economy, cutting public services and neglecting the Island. All while ferry companies pump money off the Island and water companies pump sewage into our seas and rivers.
“We’ve heard a lot of words and strong public positions, but unfortunately a lot of undelivered promises on things that really matter to the Island.”
Titles Deprivation 1917 Act Amendment Bill
Bob claimed in his Mail on Sunday article, that within the next two weeks he would be presenting his Titles Deprivation 1917 Act Amendment Bill to Parliament.
A House of Commons official confirmed to News OnTheWight the situation. Bob Seely wasn’t selected for the ballot of MPs who are given priority on the 13 Fridays set aside for debating Private Members’ Bills.
It’s also worth noting that this proposed Bill is something Downing Street said they would not support when it first appeared a year ago.
Response from Bob Seely
News OnTheWight has heard back from Bob Seely the day after we posed questions (Thursday) and he’s explained that he is intending to proceed with the amendment to the Bill by applying for a Presentation Bill, rather than apply for a speaking slot as part of the PMB ballot.
He also confirmed that “the Bill was never going to be selected as a TMRB” (ten minute rule).
What’s a Presentation Bill?
The Parliament website explains that a Presentation Bill is unlikely to become law, but is a way of drawing attention to an issue that an MP thinks requires a change in the law.
Presenting the bill is a purely formal event and MPs will not be able to speak to the House about it.
The website goes on to explain,
“There can’t be a vote on a Presentation Bill, because the House isn’t being asked to decide anything about it. In effect, the presentation simply announces the bill’s existence to the House of Commons.”
Once the MP has presented the Bill, it will be scheduled for its second reading. It will be placed after any bills already listed on the Order Paper for that day, so the chances of it being debated are small.
What are Private Members’ Bills?
Private Members’ Bills (PMBs) are public Bills introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers.
A ballot is held to choose 20 Private Members’ Bills, which will then have priority for debate on 13 designated Fridays up until the end of the Parliamentary session. In this case, 21st June 2024.
415 Members entered the current ballot and the top seven will be guaranteed a full day of debate on their Bill.
If an MP or Lord is unsuccessful in making the ballot, they can choose to apply under the ten-minute rule.
The UK Parliament website states:
Ten Minute Rule bills are often an opportunity for Members to voice an opinion on a subject or aspect of existing legislation, rather than a serious attempt to get a bill passed.
Members make speeches of no more than ten minutes outlining their position, which another Member may oppose in a similar short statement.
If you are interested in reading Bob Seely’s article in the Mail on Sunday, you can access it via the Daily Mail website.
Article edit
4.50pm 7th Dec 2023 – Headline and parts of article updated in response to BS reply.
