Parliament began today with a motion to condemn Iran for repression of protests. That was a motion without notice that everyone knew would happen. We attempt to explain motions. Wish us luck.
Today Parliament begun its day with MPs agreeing on a motion. Actually that happens pretty often.
Today's was put by Labour MP and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta (but originally from Iranian Kiwi Golriz Ghahraman).
"I move, That this House note the bravery of women and the people of Iran exercising their right to protest for women's rights and democracy; call for a thorough, independent, and prompt investigation of recent deaths of people in the custody of Iranian authorities including the Morality Police; and condemn the Iranian authorities' suppression of protestors and journalists, making clear our view that the use of violence in response to the expression of fundamental human rights by women or any other members of Iranian society is unacceptable."
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Explaining motions
That motion is pretty self-explanatory, but the idea of that kind of motion and the variations on it are not. So here's an attempt at a quick explanation.
That motion was put "without notice", but let's deal with the motion part first.
Motions are actually common as muck in Parliament. Every proposal an MP makes in the House is a Motion. To "move a motion" is just a formal and slightly archaic way of saying to "make a proposal".
A minister suggesting that a Bill be read for a first, second or third time - that's a motion. A government whip implying that surely it's time to vote already (or more formally "that the vote be now put") - that's a motion. An MP initiating the General Debate, etc, etc.
Motions with notice and motions without notice
Some motions are "with notice" like the reading of a bill, while others are allowed to be sprung on the House without warning (like asking for a vote during the committee stage).
"With notice" only means they are listed on Parliament's agenda - the Order Paper.
If you read one you'll realise that most things on the Order Paper are initiated with a motion and are all with notice (obviously). But these motions on topics that sometimes start the day, like the one on Iran, have a different purpose.
You could think of these motions as being like Parliament's public notice board. It's where the MPs vote to give acclaim, infamy or acknowledgement to something: an anniversary, an achievement, a disaster…