If a member of parliament changes party allegiance, a bi-election is held.

Rejected 19 signatures

What the petition asks

A bi-election should be held in a constituency if it's Member of Parliament changes party allegiance during their term.
This could be moving from one party to another, joining a party from being an independent or becoming an independent.

The country is becoming increasingly partisan with constituent's votes often being decided by the party, so MPs changing party mid-term goes against this. The party whip will also change this MP's voting in the commons.
This can create disappointment with many voters and can feel they are being misrepresented.

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

Timeline

16 Jan 2026	Petition opened for signatures
4 Feb 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 19

Status Rejected

Rejected 4 Feb 2026

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