Petition · Cabinet Office
Ban anyone convicted of serious criminal offences from standing in elections
Open for signatures
211 signatures
What the petition asks
People with serious criminal convictions are allowed to stand for election for councillor after five years and once they leave prison, for MP. This includes terrorism, violence, sexual offences and fraud. We believe public office is a privilege, not a right, and should meet higher moral standards.
Many public roles — including police, teachers and security-cleared civil servants — permanently exclude people with serious criminal convictions. We feel elected politicians currently face a lower standard. This petition calls for permanent disqualification from elected office for anyone imprisoned for terrorism, violence, sexual offences, violence against women and girls, or serious fraud, whether in the UK or abroad.
Timeline
| 12 Mar 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
211
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Cabinet Office
Opened
12 Mar 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.