Petitions/Abolish the requirement for two referees in the British citizenship application
StatusClosed
Opened30 Jan 2025
Closes30 Jul 2025
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

We, the undersigned, call upon the UK Government to abolish the requirement for two referees in the British citizenship application. We believe this system is outdated and should be replaced with a fairer and more inclusive method that does not rely on personal connections.

We believe this requirement, while seemingly a minor administrative measure, disproportionately impacts applicants and creates an unnecessary barrier to naturalization. Applicants may struggle to find individuals who meet the stringent referee requirements. We think referees add an additional layer of bureaucracy that does not significantly enhance the Home Office's ability to assess applications. Technology and modern administrative practices could offer alternative ways to verify identity and character.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Kim Johnson
1Kim Johnson MP
Liverpool Riverside
2
Marsha De Cordova
2Marsha De Cordova MP
Battersea
1
Liam Conlon
3Liam Conlon MP
Beckenham and Penge
1
Peter Swallow
4Peter Swallow MP
Bracknell
1
Judith Cummins
5Judith Cummins MP
Bradford South
1
Carla Denyer
6Carla Denyer MP
Bristol Central
1
Damien Egan
7Damien Egan MP
Bristol North East
1
Sir Mel Stride
8Sir Mel Stride MP
Central Devon
1
Ben Coleman
9Ben Coleman MP
Chelsea and Fulham
1
Clive Efford
10Clive Efford MP
Eltham and Chislehurst
1
Abolish the requirement for two referees in the British citizenship application — Petitions