Ban MPs who have resigned from standing in resulting by-election for same party

Background

If an MP resigns and triggers a by-election, they should not be eligible to compete in that by-election unless they are standing for a different party. By-elections cost the public purse and other parties money. An MP in a safe seat can resign just to make a political point and be re-elected.

Additional details

This is about preventing the abuse of the parliamentary system. An MP who has been elected has a duty to their constituents. If they genuinely need to resign, or they feel that they must change party and therefore want to give voters a chance to choose again, then that is fair enough. But they should not resign if they are intending to stand again for the same party.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.