About Early Day Motions

Welcome to the Early Day Motions Database Web Site. This site contains an up-to-date database of Early Day Motions which can be accessed using the menu along the top of the screen, or the following buttons:

Select the button to view the current list of EDMs,

Select the button to view a list of Members and the number of EDMs they have signed,

Select the button to Search for a particular EDM by number or description.

An Early Day Motion, or EDM, is a motion put down ("tabled") by Members of Parliament calling for a debate on a particular subject. In practice, there is rarely time to debate EDMs nowadays and their true modern-day purpose is to enable MPs to draw attention to an issue and to canvass support for their views by inviting other Members to add their signatures in support of the motion. Members may table amendments to existing EDMs. The House of Commons Factsheet Series P no 3 on Early Day Motions, which is available for downloading in PDF format, gives more information about EDMs.