Rejected petition Free votes for MPs on all matters arising from e-petitions

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We believe that democracy in the United Kingdom was impoverished by the decision not to allow MPs a free vote in the EU Referendum debate which was held on 24th October 2011; a debate and vote in Parliament prompted by an e-petition.

We assert that the whole purpose underpinning e-petitions is that the will of the electorate should be better represented in a mid-term Parliament and the denial of a free vote in proceeding arising from such petitions is a blatant frustration of that purpose.

We therefore require the Government to alter Parliamentary procedure rules to ensure that no political party can 'whip' its MPs in any future Parliamentary proceedings which arise from e-petitions.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

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

Whhipping is a matter for political parties and not HM Government.

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

Date submitted 3 December 2011
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