{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/774118.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":774118,"attributes":{"action":"Require a general election if an MP elected via a by-election becomes PM","background":"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.","additional_details":"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. \r\n \r\nA 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.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":59,"closing_date":"2027-01-22","created_at":"2026-06-20T09:56:29.453Z","updated_at":"2026-07-26T21:54:10.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-07-22T08:04:12.928Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-06-20T17:58:10.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Gareth Payne","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"CO","name":"Cabinet Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office"}],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":59}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Ashford","ons_code":"E14001069","mp":"Sojan Joseph MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Birmingham Selly Oak","ons_code":"E14001099","mp":"Al Carns MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Boston and Skegness","ons_code":"E14001114","mp":"Richard Tice MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket","ons_code":"E14001146","mp":"Dr Peter Prinsley MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Croydon South","ons_code":"E14001187","mp":"Rt Hon Chris Philp MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"East Wiltshire","ons_code":"E14001217","mp":"Danny Kruger MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Ellesmere Port and Bromborough","ons_code":"E14001222","mp":"Justin Madders MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Esher and Walton","ons_code":"E14001230","mp":"Monica Harding MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Goole and Pocklington","ons_code":"E14001250","mp":"Rt Hon David Davis MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Hemel 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