Petition
Make constitutional changes for party-switching MPs and Local Councilors
Rejected
11 signatures
What the petition asks
Instigate a constitutional change to the parliamentary and local government systems, that mandates any standing Member of Parliament or local councilor who changes their political allegiance from one registered party to another to stand down and trigger a by-election or re-election.
The current political system is unfair, unethical, and outdated. This betrays the trust voters place in their representatives to reflect their views honestly. Voters lose their democratic right to elect someone who represents their views under the current system.
Enforcing such a measure, will promote transparency and accountability in our political system. Voters can reaffirm their choice based on the current political stance of their representatives.
Enforcing such a measure, will promote transparency and accountability in our political system. Voters can reaffirm their choice based on the current political stance of their representatives.
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 petitions, which call for similar action:
Mandate by-elections for Councillors who change parties post-election
Mandate by-elections for Councillors who change parties post-election
By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
Mandate by-elections for Councillors who change parties post-election
Mandate by-elections for Councillors who change parties post-election
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
| 28 Jan 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 18 Feb 2026 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
11
Status
Rejected
Rejected
18 Feb 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 23 Aug 2026.