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Open Require a general election if an MP elected via a by-election becomes PM

Created by Gareth Payne
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An MP elected via a by-election can become Prime Minister through an internal party contest alone. We want legislation requiring a general election within 3 months of an MP ascending to the office of PM if they were elected to the Commons in a by-election.

We believe public trust in politicians is too low to assume electing an MP means accepting whoever their party later picks as leader — especially an MP not elected in a general election.

A by-election winner can become PM via internal party vote alone, with no national level public vote of any kind. We ask Parliament to pass legislation requiring a general election within 3 months if any MP is elected via a by-election and then becomes PM. This law would not affect MPs elected in General Elections who then become PM mid-term, nor party leadership rules themselves.

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    This petition will stay open until 22 January 2027.