Closed petition Let an independent body decide how MPs can be recalled by their constituents

Closed on 6 November 2019

MPs can’t be properly held to account if they can only be challenged at a General Election, when their personal failings are over-shadowed by broader issues. Without effective procedures for constituents to recall their MPs at any time, the public can’t have confidence they are properly represented.

Vexatious recall petitions need to be blocked, but there is an obvious conflict of interests if MPs themselves determine when they can be recalled by their constituents.

We ask that Parliament:

a) allow recall petitions in any circumstances, subject to a requirement that they be approved by a voters’ jury (i.e. a randomly-selected sample of the local electorate); and

b) delegate to an appropriate independent body all decisions on petition thresholds and details pertaining to jury approval.