Private Member

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) British. 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

Children “doomscrolling for hours a day” is causing widespread harm, according to Josh MacAlister, the Labour MP and former teacher behind the private member's bill being introduced in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

From BBC

The previous government supported a private member's bill in this area from Tory Flick Drummond, who lost her seat at the election, but it did not progress beyond its initial stage in Parliament.

From BBC

He brought a private member's bill in 2021 seeking to change copyright laws on music streaming after a committee of MPs called for a "complete reset" of the market so that artists could be paid fairly.

From BBC

In Scotland, a private member's bill to allow assisted dying was introduced in March - the third attempt since 2010.

From BBC

In 2022, a private member's bill he introduced passed into law, the Down Syndrome Act.

From BBC