Rejected petition Free votes for all votes carried out in Westminster

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My petition is to make all votes in parliament to be held as free votes rather than using the whipping system. This in my view will make the government of the day actually make its case for legislation in order to secure enough votes to get it passed. If they have to make the case, then there is a chance that the government will actually think through its legislation and we will get better governance as a result. The whipping system is thoroughly undemocratic as it relies on bullying tactics by the whips to get our elected representatives to vote in a particular way. If the government cannot win the debate for its legislation and get the necessary votes fairly, then it doesn't deserve to get it passed.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

It’s about something that the UK Government or Parliament is not directly responsible for.

Whipping is a matter for political parties and not HM Government

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 25 October 2011
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