Submitted on Monday 19th January 2026
Rejected on Thursday 12th February 2026
Current status: Rejected
Rejection code: duplicate (see below for details)
An immediate by-election to be called if an MP defects to another party.
A by-election after an MP defects is essential to democracy. Voters elect a party and its values, not just an individual. Changing allegiance breaks that mandate. A by-election restores trust, accountability, and gives constituents the right to choose their representation again.
The government should introduce a clear legal requirement that any MP who defects from the party they were elected under must trigger an automatic by-election. This would protect democratic mandates, uphold voter trust, prevent political opportunism, and ensure constituents always have a direct say when their representation fundamentally changes.
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
216.73.217.176 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 01:33:01 +0100
