Petition
If an MP defects to another party, a by-election should be called immediately.
Rejected
10 signatures
What the petition asks
A new law should be introduced to ensure constituents, voting for a candidate who represents their chosen party defects, there should be a by-election to confirm the constituency still want representation from this individual.
Very often constituents vote according to party preferences and may indeed vote tactically to ensure certain parties do not win a seat. It is therefore incongruent for an MP to decide to change allegiance without support from her / his constituents. A by-election should be called immediately.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
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
By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
Timeline
| 15 Sep 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 29 Sep 2025 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
10
Status
Rejected
Rejected
29 Sep 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 27 Aug 2026.