Early Day Motion
An Early Day Motion (EDM) is a motion put down, or tabled, on the order paper by a group of Members of Parliament calling for a debate on a particular subject. In recent years the increasing number of EDMs has meant that time is very rarely found for them to be debated. The modern-day purpose of EDMs is to allow MPs to express their opinion on a subject and to canvass support for their views by inviting other members to add their signatures in support of the motion. As a general rule, EDMs will only be debated if they can gain the support of over half the MPs in the House.
contributed by user Tom Loosemore