Petitions/Require a by-election if MPs / Councillors change parties or become independent
StatusOngoing
Opened20 Feb 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

The Government should legislate to require a by-election to be held if an MP or Local Councillor switches political party in the middle of the parliamentary term so affected constituents get the opportunity to vote in an election to decide who represents them.

Many people vote for people they believe will represent them best and for candidates which represent the values of a particular political party. We believe it is not fair or democratic for voters who vote for an elected official who switches party, or becomes independent, and does not have to stand again in an immediate election. It stands to reason that some will not support the values of the new party, but to be balanced, some will, but this is assumptive and we believe it should be ratified via an official election.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Neil Duncan-Jordan
1Neil Duncan-Jordan MP
Poole
10
John Milne
2John Milne MP
Horsham
7
Richard Tice
3Richard Tice MP
Boston and Skegness
2
Mike Tapp
4Mike Tapp MP
Dover and Deal
2
Martin Wrigley
5Martin Wrigley MP
Newton Abbot
2
Luke Pollard
6Luke Pollard MP
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
2
Dr Caroline Johnson
7Dr Caroline Johnson MP
Sleaford and North Hykeham
2
James McMurdock
8James McMurdock MP
South Basildon and East Thurrock
2
Dr Andrew Murrison
9Dr Andrew Murrison MP
South West Wiltshire
2
Steve Darling
10Steve Darling MP
Torbay
2