One of the bills that is likely to be passed during the wash-up is the Media Bill, which proposes sweeping changes to the regulation and ownership of the media sector in the UK. I am deeply concerned that this bill is a bad piece of legislation that will have detrimental effects on the diversity and quality of media in this country. The bill gives too much power to incumbent media operators, who will be able to acquire more assets and consolidate their market dominance without facing any public interest tests or competition scrutiny.
The Media Bill also removes the last remaining obligations for Ofcom to regulate the media industries for the benefit of the public, devaluing public service media and undermining their ability to deliver impartial and informative content. Furthermore, the bill negatively affects community media, which provide a vital alternative voice and a platform for local engagement, by reducing their access to spectrum and funding.
The Media Bill seems likely to gain Royal Assent without any push-back from the opposition parties, who may come to regret allowing this legislation through unchallenged. I urge them to reconsider their stance and oppose this bill, which threatens the pluralism and integrity of our media landscape.
- The ‘wash-up‘ period in the UK Parliament refers to the last few days when Parliament continues to sit after the Prime Minister has announced the date for a general election, but before it is formally dissolved or prorogued.
- During this period, the government attempts to pass any unfinished legislative business that has sufficient cross-party support. This often involves compromising on certain aspects of bills to ensure they can be completed before dissolution. The opposition parties and backbenchers effectively have a veto over controversial or unpopular measures during this time.
- The purpose of the wash-up is to prevent outstanding parliamentary business from being lost when Parliament is dissolved for the election. Bills that do not receive Royal Assent before dissolution cannot be carried over to the next Parliament and would need to be reintroduced.
- For the upcoming general election on July 4, 2024, the wash-up period will last for 5 days, from May 22 (when the election was called) until Parliament is dissolved on May 30.
- During this time, the government and opposition parties will negotiate which bills can be fast-tracked and potentially amended to ensure their passage before dissolution.
- The length of the wash-up period can vary, with the Prime Minister deciding when to request dissolution from the Monarch. In 2017, the wash-up lasted thirteen days, allowing thirteen government bills to receive Royal Assent.
- During this time, the government will attempt to fast-track any unfinished legislation like the Media Bill that has cross-party support.
- However, the opposition parties effectively have a veto over controversial bills during the wash-up. The Conservatives have already threatened to block parts of the Media Bill related to news consortia.
- There is a risk that if no compromise is reached, the entire Media Bill could be lost and would need to be reintroduced in the next Parliament after the election.
- The Media Bill contains major reforms for public service broadcasting, including updating Channel 4’s remit, changes to broadcast licensing, and measures around connected audio devices. Losing it would be a major setback.
The wash-up represents a critical make-or-break period for getting the Media Bill passed into law before the election. The government will be urgently negotiating with other parties to find a compromise that allows at least parts of the Bill to be approved during this limited window.