Give Voters the Power to Recall Their MPs

  • by: Kristina Chew
  • recipient: David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Members of Parliament

Update, 3 November 2014.

Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith's "real recall" amendment was defeated in the House of Commons on October 27. MPs rejected his proposal -- under which Parliament's role in recalling is misbehaving MPs would have been significantly reduced -- by a vote of 340 to 166.

The House of Commons continues with its consideration of the Recall of MPs Bill.


The Recall of MPs Bill would put power in the hands of voters. Under the proposed bill, members of Parliament could be sacked between elections if enough voters petitioned for a by-election.

Let voters have the power to recall their MPs!  

The Recall Bill will be considered by the Committee of the whole House on October 27. In a few weeks, it will be voted on by MPs.

Under the Recall Bill, if an MP receives a prison sentence or is suspended from Parliament, a petition will be open for 8 weeks. If 10 percent of eligible voters sign it, the MP's seat will be declared vacant and a by-election triggered.

Labour supports the Recall Bill. But Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith has created a rival plan that would allow recall for any reason that gains the approval of a fifth of the electorate. Goldmith contends that his plan gives constituents more powers. Under it, MPs could be recalled if 5 percent of voters sign a "notice of intent to recall" and 20 percent sign a "real petition."

But as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says, by allowing recall for any reason that 5 percent of voters assent to, Goldsmith's plan could actually put MPs with a history of supporting same-sex marriage at risk. Clegg has said that his proposals "could lead to some MPs facing near-constant threats of recall" on "controversial issues such as gay marriage, abortion, fox hunting or military action."

David Cameron has indicated that he would consider further steps for recall than the Recall Bill proposes. That is why we need to let him and other MPs know that Goldsmith's proposals go too far. Rather than creating a system that, in the words of Shadow Constitutional Reform Minister Stephen Twigg, "improves accountability," Goldsmith's proposals could lead to "some MPs facing near constant threats of recall," as Clegg has commented. 

Tell David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Members of Parliament that voters must be granted the power to recall MPs! 

To David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Members of Parliament,


We are writing to request that you let voters have the right to recall their MPs.


The Recall of MPs Bill, under which members of Parliament could be sacked between elections if enough voters petitioned for a by-election, would put power in the hands of voters. 


Labour supports the Recall Bill. But Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith has created a rival plan that would allow recall for any reason that gains the approval of a fifth of the electorate. Goldmith contends that his plan gives constituents more powers. Under it, MPs could be recalled if 5 percent of voters sign a "notice of intent to recall" and 20 percent sign a "real petition."


These proposals go too far and will not improve accountability. By allowing recall for any reason 5 percent of voters assent to, Goldsmith's plan could actually result in some MPs, especially those supporting controversial issues such as gay marriage, fox hunting or abortion, at the constant risk of recall. 


Fortunately, Goldsmith's "real recall" proposal was defeated in the House of Commons on October 27. We ask that you consider our request for voters to be granted the power to recall MPs.


Sincerely,


[Your Name]

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