Petition · past parliament

Let petitions which reach 500,000 signatures go to parliamentary Free Vote

Rejected 10 signatures

What the petition asks

Whenever petitions on this website reach 100,000 impassioned votes and go to parliament for "debate", they get sent back by the government saying, in effect, leave us alone.

A new rule should therefore be introduced to allow the House of Commons a Free Vote whenever a petition reaches 500,000.
There is absolutely no point in having an online petitions system, to empower voters, if the government simply continues dismissing everything we raise passionately by petition. Many important concerns have been raised by these petitions, and all have been systematically ignored by a shielded government.

Free votes are a part of the UK constitution enabling all MPs to vote free from party whip or influence, which have been traditionally allowed for ethical issues seen as a matter of conscience.

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

We're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do. Deciding whether or not a vote is a "free vote" is the responsibility of political parties, not the UK Government or Parliament.

You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do.


Timeline

6 Mar 2018 Petition opened for signatures
21 Mar 2018 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 10
Status Rejected
Rejected 21 Mar 2018

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

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