{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/732901.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":732901,"attributes":{"action":"Require a By-Election When an MP Changes Party Affiliation","background":"Require that any MP who leaves the political party they were elected under must trigger an automatic by-election. Voters should not be represented by someone who no longer aligns with the party they originally supported at the ballot box.","additional_details":"Many voters cast their vote based on a party’s values, manifesto, and leadership — not solely the individual candidate. When an MP changes party or becomes independent mid-term, the political mandate given by their constituents is undermined.\r\n\r\nThis ensures accountability, maintains public trust, and respects the democratic process. A change of political alignment should be validated by the people who elected that representative.","committee_note":null,"state":"rejected","signature_count":6,"created_at":"2025-07-10T13:01:35.753Z","updated_at":"2025-08-01T09:43:21.671Z","rejected_at":"2025-08-01T09:43:20.312Z","opened_at":null,"closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-07-19T21:55:10.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":null,"rejection":{"code":"duplicate","details":"You may wish to sign this petition which calls for the same action:\r\n\r\nRequire AUTOMATIC by election if an MP changes party during a term of office\r\nhttps://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/711480"},"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[],"topics":[]}}}