Does there need to be a new by-election rule?

Makerfield was manipulative in a different way, but I don’t see that a new rule to stop one MP stepping down and another from the same party standing instead would be feasible.

I do think that an MP who is currently under investigation for serious misconduct should be barred from standing down and seeking re-election whilst the investigation is ongoing.

I totally agree regarding MPs (and councillors) not being permitted to change party, part way through an electoral term, because people voted for them on the basis of which party they represented at the election. They can either resign or stand for a different party the next time there is an election instead.

That’s why it’s tricky isn’t it because of the basic right of constituents to be represented.Like so much ( everything ?) in life fundamentally we need people to have a moral/ethical code to have a decent society.

mum2three

It does seem an odd thing to do, but Farage wanted to give people the chance to get rid of him if they so chose. Instead it has confirmed the support he has.

That's a very kind way of looking at it mum2three

They should have had a by-election without him.

Tuliptree

Agree with all of that Lucky. This NF case is beyond the pale. He should have resigned and then stood at the next GE.

Wouldn’t that have left people without an MP.

I suppose it’s one way to disenfranchise.

Going back to the OP, and one of the responses, I would suggest that MPs jumping ship to another party, merits the prospect of a by-election.

I do not disagree at all with you Galaxy. Means and ends and all that and why at heart I’m a Kantian.

I think Makerfield was deeply manipulative as well. It made me ashamed to have once supported them ( and I was no Starmer fan by the end)

You’re completely right on all counts

JaneJudge

I don't suppose 250k is much to Nigel Farage but to an ordinary person it could buy you a flat or house

He did not pay - we all did.

Perhaps I have this wrong, but I thought that Farage resigned to stop the investigation into his 'donations' issue.
Not to prove that the people who voted for him would do so again?
He, and his expert advisers, thought this would put an end to the process.
They were wrong, about this parliamentary procedure. (Does that not demonstrate how inept and unfit they actually are, for important office?)
and now the investigation will resume.

No having thought a bit more, none of it would work in reality would it?

Tuliptree

Galaxy

What about if they organise a by election for the sole reason of becoming primeminister.

Indeed - under Lucky’s suggestion that could well be ruled out. I wouldn’t argue with that at all.

I did not agree with that as a tactic, but it was a totally different scenario. The MP who resigned in Makerfield did not restand.

So so far 3 examples - if you change party, there has to be a by-election,, if you want to stand again in the by election for the same party you can’t and then the AB example - I think that’s trickier because you can’t really stop someone resigning even if you know what the reasons are . So what could happen? An MP resigns - a by election has to be allowed. Tricky

I don't suppose 250k is much to Nigel Farage but to an ordinary person it could buy you a flat or house

Makerfield is a perfect example, is it not?

If the resigning MP wins the bye election, then they should be responsible for reimbursing the country for the money wasted,

If they lose then they were right to call the bye-election

Galaxy

What about if they organise a by election for the sole reason of becoming primeminister.

Yes, there’s that isn’t there😉

Galaxy

What about if they organise a by election for the sole reason of becoming primeminister.

Indeed - under Lucky’s suggestion that could well be ruled out. I wouldn’t argue with that at all.

What about if they organise a by election for the sole reason of becoming primeminister.

Agree with all of that Lucky. This NF case is beyond the pale. He should have resigned and then stood at the next GE.

But there need to be rules to cover this contingency I think. Public money poured down the drain.

I do not think it has confirmed the support NF has as there was no credible opposition for him to fight.

What about if they change party? Not that a sitting MP defecting to Reform would ever want to face their electorate . But you know if there were an MP with morals, ethics, a belief in democracy, respect for Parliament etc etc .

I think it would be rarely done tbh

It does seem an odd thing to do, but Farage wanted to give people the chance to get rid of him if they so chose. Instead it has confirmed the support he has.