If an MP defects to another political party an immediate by-election is called
When an MP defects to a different political party (ie not the one they stood for at the last election), an immediate by-election should be called in the MP’s constituency. The law should be changed to make this happen.
Signatures
6
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 6/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 6/100,000
- 04 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
- 15 JAN 2026Petition created
Background
When an MP defects, they no longer stand for the manifesto on which they were elected and therefore no longer represent their constituents.
It is a personal choice of the MP to change party and their constituents should be allowed to vote on whether they agree or disagree with the choice and agree with the values of the new party. An immediate by-election should be called allowing constituents the choice of which party represents them.