Recall of MPs Bill — Process for Prompting a New Election for a Constituency's MP — 27 Oct 2014 at 21:45

The majority of MPs rejected a proposed process for "recalling" an MP under which a new election would be prompted by a series of petitions reaching set thresholds of signatories followed by a referendum.

MPs were considering the Recall of MPs Bill.^[1]

The amendment which was rejected in this vote was accompanied by a description from the member who moved it stating:

• This amendment changes the Bill to remove the proposed conditions of recall on the grounds of imprisonment or suspension by the House to the decision making of constituency voters. It sets out the essential three stages - notice of intent to recall (5% of voters), recall petition (20% of voters) and then a referendum. Only if all three stages are passed is there a by-election.

The amendment would have removed, and replaced, all the operative elements of clause 1 of the Bill titled How an MP becomes subject to a recall petition process.

At the time of the vote the clause set out two conditions which would make an MP subject to a recall petition process, the first being conviction of an offence resulting in a sentence of imprisonment and the second being suspension from the House of Commons for at least 21 sitting days (or 28 days).

The replacement text which the rejected amendment would have introduced set out alternative requirements for a recall process involving a "notice of intent to recall" being signed by 5% of electors in a constituency followed by 20% of electors then signing a "recall petition" and then if those requirements were met the majority of those voting in a "recall referendum" voting in favour of "recall" before a new election would be called.

• [1] Parliament's webpage on the recall of MPs Bill

Debate in Parliament | Source |