Petitions/Introduce Citizens’ Referendum System for Legislation
StatusOngoing
Opened7 May 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

Introduce a citizens’ initiated referendum system, allowing the public to propose and vote directly on legislation when a minimum signature threshold is reached, modelled on Switzerland’s direct democracy system, which has operated successfully for over 150 years.

In our view, the UK’s current system gives citizens no direct say on the agreement or rejection of legislation between general elections. Switzerland allows its citizens to vote on legislation multiple times per year. We think this produces more accountable government, greater civic trust, and long-term political stability. We believe that giving UK citizens powers to initiate referendums on legislation could reduce political disillusionment, force Parliament to reflect genuine public will, and bring Britain in line with modern democratic standards seen in Switzerland.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Tom Hayes
1Tom Hayes MP
Bournemouth East
2
Sir Christopher Chope
2Sir Christopher Chope MP
Christchurch
2
Connor Naismith
3Connor Naismith MP
Crewe and Nantwich
2
Monica Harding
4Monica Harding MP
Esher and Walton
2
Lucy Rigby
5Lucy Rigby MP
Northampton North
2
Terry Jermy
6Terry Jermy MP
South West Norfolk
2
Stephanie Peacock
7Stephanie Peacock MP
Barnsley South
1
Neil Coyle
8Neil Coyle MP
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
1
Alex Burghart
9Alex Burghart MP
Brentwood and Ongar
1
Damien Egan
10Damien Egan MP
Bristol North East
1