Today will see the second reading of the Planning and Local Representation Bill, introduced by Labour MP Rachel Hopkins as a private members bill and an alternative to the government’s planning reforms. This proposal is set against the background of the government’s planning white paper and Planning Bill, which is set to limit public participation in the planning process.

The Labour Party has been opposing the government’s planning reforms for some time. The private member’s bill has already received clear cabinet support from within the party, including from Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy, Angela Rayner, Ed Milliband, Anneliese Dodds and Emily Thornberry, who all voted in its favour.

Private members’ bills only very occasionally make it onto the statute books. However, given the rumblings of discontent directed towards government plans, including from the Conservative Party’s backbenchers, this Labour proposal may end up being more influential than many realise.

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