Petition · past parliament

Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU.

Closed 6,103,056 signatures

What the petition asks

The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is 'the will of the people'. We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now, for remaining in the EU. A People's Vote may not happen - so vote now.

Government response · 26 March 2019

This Government will not revoke Article 50. We will honour the result of the 2016 referendum and work with Parliament to deliver a deal that ensures we leave the European Union.

It remains the Government’s firm policy not to revoke Article 50. We will honour the outcome of the 2016 referendum and work to deliver an exit which benefits everyone, whether they voted to Leave or to Remain.

Revoking Article 50, and thereby remaining in the European Union, would undermine both our democracy and the trust that millions of voters have placed in Government.

The Government acknowledges the considerable number of people who have signed this petition. However, close to three quarters of the electorate took part in the 2016 referendum, trusting that the result would be respected. This Government wrote to every household prior to the referendum, promising that the outcome of the referendum would be implemented. 17.4 million people then voted to leave the European Union, providing the biggest democratic mandate for any course of action ever directed at UK Government.

British people cast their votes once again in the 2017 General Election where over 80% of those who voted, voted for parties, including the Opposition, who committed in their manifestos to upholding the result of the referendum.

This Government stands by this commitment.

Revoking Article 50 would break the promises made by Government to the British people, disrespect the clear instruction from a democratic vote, and in turn, reduce confidence in our democracy. As the Prime Minister has said, failing to deliver Brexit would cause “potentially irreparable damage to public trust”, and it is imperative that people can trust their Government to respect their votes and deliver the best outcome for them.

Department for Exiting the European Union.

Debate in Parliament

MPs debated this petition on 1 April 2019.

Read the transcript · Watch the debate · Research briefing

Timeline

20 Feb 2019 Petition opened for signatures
18 Mar 2019 Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response
20 Mar 2019 Passed 100,000 signatures, qualifying for a parliamentary debate
26 Mar 2019 Government responded
1 Apr 2019 Debated in Parliament
20 Aug 2019 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 6,103,056
Status Closed
Opened 20 Feb 2019
Closed 20 Aug 2019
Response 26 Mar 2019
Debated 1 Apr 2019

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