Petition · Cabinet Office
Limit MPs' early resignation to specific circumstances & impose penalties
Open for signatures
17 signatures
What the petition asks
Although MPs cannot resign from the Commons midterm they can circumvent this restriction by use of archaic procedure and Crown offices. This may allow inappropriate change that disrupts the operation of the Commons. This petition is to limit use of this loophole to genuine need.
There should be documented well-defined criteria describing circumstances that would allow MPs to resign before the end of a parliamentary term.
The entity that grants the right to an early resignation should be independent of any political party e.g. The Speaker, not the Chancellor of the Exchequer as at present.
There should be a penalty to deter MPs from resigning early including repayment of any parliamentary allowances received and being barred from standing as an MP in the future.
The entity that grants the right to an early resignation should be independent of any political party e.g. The Speaker, not the Chancellor of the Exchequer as at present.
There should be a penalty to deter MPs from resigning early including repayment of any parliamentary allowances received and being barred from standing as an MP in the future.
Timeline
| 6 Aug 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
17
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Cabinet Office
Opened
6 Aug 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 7 Aug 2026.