Petition · past parliament

Let Parliament decide whether or not we remain a member of the European Union

Closed 25,729 signatures

What the petition asks

The people of the United Kingdom just voted to leave the European Union.

However, the referendum is not binding and Parliament remains supreme. As a representative democracy, this petition proposes that we hand the question over to those qualified, and paid by taxpayers, to answer it.

The European Union is a complex institution. As such, politicians and the media have been unable to present clear, factual and un-biased information to the general public on either side of the referendum debate. The outcome, therefore, has been largely the product of misinformation and the referendum should not be the basis on which we, as a country, make such a monumental decision.

Government response · 11 August 2016

The British people have voted to leave the EU and their will must be respected. Parliament will clearly have an important role in making sure we find the best way forward.

The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected and delivered. Parliament overwhelmingly supported the Referendum Bill by a margin of 6 to 1. While legally there is no obligation to consult Parliament on triggering Article 50, it will clearly have an important role in making sure that we find the best way forward.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Debate in Parliament

MPs debated this petition on 17 October 2016.

Read the transcript · Watch the debate

Timeline

29 Jun 2016	Petition opened for signatures
4 Jul 2016	Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response
11 Aug 2016	Government responded
17 Oct 2016	Debated in Parliament
29 Dec 2016	Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 25,729

Status Closed

Opened 29 Jun 2016

Closed 29 Dec 2016

Response 11 Aug 2016

Debated 17 Oct 2016

Follow this petition

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.