Petition · Cabinet Office

Disqualify resigned MPs from standing until 4 years after next General Election

Open for signatures 20 signatures

What the petition asks

If a sitting MP chooses to resign their seat for whatever reason, then that MP should be blocked for standing as an MP at the next General Election and for four more years or until the subsequent General Election, whichever is lesser.
We have seen recently that there seems to be this loophole in which elected Members of Parliament can resign their seats and then stand in the same by-election they have triggered at a massive burden to the taxpayer. If any MP resigns their seat, they should be blocked from standing at the next General Election and only be allowed to stand four years after or at the subsequent General Election, whichever is the least amount of time.

Timeline

7 Aug 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 20
Status Open for signatures
Department Cabinet Office
Opened 7 Aug 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 8 Aug 2026.