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Move the Previous Question


BabbsJohnson

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A few questions about this motion:

Can this motion be used to stop debate before everyone has had a chance to speak once?

Can this motion be used to stop debate before everyone has had a chance to speak twice?

Can it be used to interrupt a speaker in order to stop them from using up their full time allowed?

Can it be used to stifle a speaker a few of the members do not like?

For instance: Lets say speakers in a certain group rarely use up their full time allowed.

Let's say it becomes obvious one speaker has organized a fair bit of information, and wishes to use up all their allowed time.

Let's say a few of the members do not like this speaker, and do not want to let them use their entire time.

One of them moves the previous question, interrupting the speaker, attempting to end debate.

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A motion for the Previous Question can be used to stop debate before everyone has had a chance to speak once, and can be used to stop debate before everyone has had a chance to speak twice, but it is not in order when another member has the floor. A member speaking in debate cannot be interrupted by a motion to order the Previous Question.

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A few questions about this motion:

Can this motion be used to stop debate before everyone has had a chance to speak once?

Can this motion be used to stop debate before everyone has had a chance to speak twice?

Can it be used to interrupt a speaker in order to stop them from using up their full time allowed?

Can it be used to stifle a speaker a few of the members do not like?

For instance: Lets say speakers in a certain group rarely use up their full time allowed.

Let's say it becomes obvious one speaker has organized a fair bit of information, and wishes to use up all their allowed time.

Let's say a few of the members do not like this speaker, and do not want to let them use their entire time.

One of them moves the previous question, interrupting the speaker, attempting to end debate.

Ah! My favourite subject. According to Roberts: Yes it can be used to stop debate before every voting member has had their right to debate (but CANNOT interrupt), It could be used to to stifle a 1/3 minority. Unless your by-laws clarify that every voting member has the right to speak in debate (even if limited as to time and frequency) OR, there are legal reasons for not allowing the interruption of the right to debate. 

P. 202 even though the wording appears that states "Care should be taken that failure to understand this fact does not lead to VIOLATION of members' rights of debate." And "to shut off debate against the will of even one member who wishes to speak and has not exhausted his right to debate" Does not mean that the right is absolute and cannot be taken away by a 2/3 vote. All other parliamentary manuals allow this also. So if your organization wants everyone to have the right to speak at least once and for a limited time, put it in your by-laws. 

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