Submitted on Monday 28th November 2011
Rejected on Wednesday 21st June 2017
Current status: Rejected
Rejection code: irrelevant (see below for details)
e-petitions over 100,000 votes should get a free vote in parliament
E-petitions inject popular sentiment into the stymied world of politics, which is dominated by the party machines. Currently, despite an e-petition getting 100,000 votes, it can be killed by a party imposing a three-line whip. This is not democratic.
E-petitions may be good or bad. Some may be stupid or dangerous. This is irrelevant. The fact is, it represents the opinion of a quorum of the population. It deserves an unimpeded vote by the law making body. Free votes could be guaranteed by constitutional convention. Whipped votes mean that ideas are selected according to the patriarchal views of the politicians, who assume they know what is good for us. Whilst this is pragmatic, it is not democratic.
The current system of MP’s belongs to a previous age, where someone had to go to London to represent us, as it was impractical for everyone to be there in person. Technology now means we can actually represent ourselves to a greater degree. Real e-petitions would be a first step.
You can't sign this petition because it was rejected. But you can still comment on it here at Repetition.me!
The Government e-Petitions Team gave the following reason:
Whipping is a matter for poltiical parties and not HM Government.
3.145.119.199 Fri, 03 May 2024 15:41:33 +0100
