Call a by-election when an MP defects or is expelled from a party.
A UK parliamentary by-election happens when a seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant between general elections. This is either when an MP dies, is recalled via petition, convicted or joins the House of Lords. Yet they can change party or become an independent at a whim.
Signatures
21
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 21/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 21/100,000
- 03 FEB 2026Petition rejectedduplicate
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 https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737660
- 17 JAN 2026Petition created
Background
If an MP defects to another party or is expelled from a party or otherwise changes political affiliation from that that they were elected upon, this should trigger a by-election so that the people can give their say upon who they actually want to represent them.