Urgent Explanation & Debate on the Issue of Abstention in the House of Commons

Rejected 10 signatures

What the petition asks

Many elected officials, including the Prime Minister, have abstained from division votes without adequate explanations. This issue was prominent in Division 258, held on June 19, 2023. We urge each abstaining representative to provide a comprehensive account of their decision.

As citizens valuing engagement, we assert that abstention should be a last resort in divisive matters. Without transparent justifications, it breaches their duty, eroding our democratic institutions. We urgently demand a thorough debate on abstention in division votes. Principles and procedures must be examined and revised for transparency and accountability. Members abstaining should publicly state reasons, empowering constituents to scrutinize and hold them accountable.

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. It's not clear if you want Parliament to review arrangements for MPs who do not take part in votes, or for new rules to be introduced requiring MPs who do not take part in votes to explain why.

If a petition gets over 100,000 signatures it will normally be debated, so we always suggest petitions request a specific action from the Government or Parliament, rather than calling for a debate.

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

Timeline

21 Jun 2023	Petition opened for signatures
27 Jun 2023	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 10

Status Rejected

Rejected 27 Jun 2023

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