To ask if members of the public can attend debates in Westminster?

[lookthere123]

Does anyone know ?
Ie the debates which are held because a petition has reached 100,000 signatures- can members of the public just attend ?
Thanks!

Yes you can. No need to pre book, but allow plenty of time to get through security and possibly to queue. www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/watch-committees-and-debates/debates/

Yes, you can. You can queue up and go through security, then sit in the public gallery of the main chamber, or the roped off bit at the end of Westminster Hall. If you get in touch with your MP they'll be able to tell you more, and they might attend the debate or at least come and see you if they have time. Many of them like to have their constituents around to see them in action.

Excellent Thankyou So definitely ok not to prebook ?
Anyone know what time these debates generally start and end? Is it best just to get there early?
Thanks again.....

I'm not sure you can prebook. I've always just rocked up!

Timing-wise, check the petition page as I think they will put a link up when the debate is scheduled. Or honestly, email your MP. Unless you have reason to believe they're a knob, they mostly do like to have constituents turn up and they will almost certainly be helpful. At the very least they should be able to tell you when and where to turn up. You might even get a quick tour around the building (highly recommended, it's an amazing place).

If I were you I would email your MP expressing your interest and asking for information on when the debate is likely to be held and asking to be kept updated, also keep an eye on the website for updates. Petition debates are usually held in Westminster Hall at 4.30 on Mondays, but they could be "tagged" to a debate in the main Commons Chamber as well. Parliamentary business is usually scheduled about a week in advance. When you arrive just ask one of the Visitor Assistants where to go. They are very friendly!

It's great that you want to go, I worked at Parliament for several years pre-DC, and despite the mystique it is actually very accessible to the public.

Thanks for the info That’s great
superking- if it wasn’t to start until 430pm , generally what time would it finish ?
Thanks

You needs tickets for PM question time, not otherwise

Which petition as a matter of interest?

It’s the independent body for the welfare of racehorses
People don’t realise that between 200-250 racehorses die in the uk every year as a result of horseracing eg through broken necks and broken backs and there is no independent body to regulate the horses’ welfare
That’s the reason I feel strongly about it
Looking at the link someone kindly posted above re the debates the Monday ones seem later and if this was the case I possibly can’t go
Does anyone know if the Monday debates always start and finish later?

If you can't get there you can usually watch them online. You could also write to/ email your MP outlining your viewsand ask them to attend/ speak in the debate - there's no guarantee they will, but it's worth a try!

This page lists upcoming petition debates. There's nothing I could see about racehorses but if you keep an eye on the page you should see if something comes up. www.parliament.uk/petition-debates

And yes, Monday debates are usually later as Parliament starts and finishes later that day to allow MPs to travel from their constituencies in the morning.

We have been once when up in London with the DC. It was really interesting. The thing I remember is that if it is full you have to wait for someone else to leave before you can go in. i.e. They don't give you a 1 hour time limit or anything.

Thanks everyone
One last question- so if it started at 4.30pm and we wanted to leave at 630pm , can we just leave
...... thanks

You should be fine. Try and sit near to the door if you can, then you can discreetly catch the eye of the usher at the back and make sure it's ok. They'll let you go at an appropriate moment in the debate. Main thing is to be as quiet and unobtrusive as you can -don't start chucking bags around amd especially not while someone is speaking. Wait until one MP has finished speaking and another is being called, then you can slip out without interrupting the debate.

Hi @Lookthere123
It looks like there will be a debate at 1630 on Monday 15 October about the petition for setting up a new independent body for the protection of racehorses. The sitting will last for up to 3 hours and usually the responsible Minister speaks towards the end replying to the points made.
The debate will take place in Westminster Hall, which is in the Palace of Westminster but not the same room as the House of Commons chamber which you see on the news. You can come and go (quietly!) during the debate so don't worry about needing to arrive bang on time or stay to the end.
Just rock up at the entrance and, after airport style security, ask any policeman to direct you to Westminster Hall.
HTH.

You can also watch on the BBC Parliament television channel and probably in BBC iPlayer

Smallinthsmoke- I’m so grateful for that information! Thank you so much , that really helps !👍