Submitted on Friday 16th January 2026
Rejected on Tuesday 10th February 2026
Current status: Rejected
Rejection code: duplicate (see below for details)
Require MPs who change party to seek a new mandate via a by-election
At present, MPs can change their party after being elected without asking voters if they still wish them to represent them. This can weaken democratic accountability. Requiring MPs who switch party to trigger a by-election would allow constituents to decide if they still support their representation
At present, MPs may change their party affiliation after being elected without consulting voters. Many constituents vote for a party and its manifesto, not just an individual candidate.
Requiring a by-election when an MP changes party would uphold democratic accountability and allow voters to decide whether the MP should continue to represent them.
This petition calls on Parliament to amend the Recall of MPs Act or introduce new legislation so that a party change triggers a by-election.
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:
There's already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.
You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.
You may wish to sign the following petition, which calls for similar action:
By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737660
216.73.217.50 Sun, 21 Jun 2026 03:35:55 +0100
