To call a local election when any elected MP swaps party during a Parliament.

Rejected 12 signatures

What the petition asks

Any MP is elected to represent a particular party. If they swap sides during their time as a MP it should be law that they immediately call a local election. People vote for the party and not the MP who represents them.

As a resident in Coventry, it is not right that an elected Labour MP was elected to represent the Labour Party and her constituency. She then resigns from the Labour Party and starts her own party. The Government should make it law that any sitting MP who defects to another party to the one that they were elected to, should immediately call a local bye- election. This way they get the support to represent their new party if the local residents decide that this is what they want.

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 this petition which calls for the same 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

Timeline

25 Nov 2025	Petition opened for signatures
8 Jan 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 12

Status Rejected

Rejected 8 Jan 2026

Follow this petition