Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Enabling the Public to call a General Election

15 November 2022 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East

Democracy & Elections

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Richard Burgon raised concerns about enabling the public to call a general election in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • MP Richard Burgon raised concerns about the lack of mechanisms for citizens to directly call a general election.
  • Burgon proposed constitutional changes to allow election calls through verified petitions during extraordinary times.
  • Minister Eleanor Laing defended the current system for its stability and effectiveness in ensuring long-term governance.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East

MP Richard Burgon from Leeds East raised concerns about the current lack of mechanisms for citizens to directly call a general election in times when public faith is lost and government fails to respond. He proposed adopting constitutional changes that would allow such calls through verified petitions, especially during extraordinary times like now where two new Prime Ministers were elected without broad public consent. Burgon cited low levels of trust in politicians as per the IPPR findings and highlighted the need for a recall mechanism to ensure accountability. The proposal includes amending the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 under specific conditions, advocating for a step forward beyond the Recall of MPs Act which lacks public empowerment.

Other contributors (1)
  • Alex Burghart Con North Dorset

    Burghart acknowledged the research and thoughtfulness of Burgon's proposal but argued against it due to potential instability and unnecessary distraction from governing. He highlighted that stable governance is crucial for implementing long-term solutions.

Government Response

Eleanor Laing

Minister Eleanor Laing expressed her appreciation for the debate but defended the current system, asserting its proven stability and effectiveness. She argued that guaranteeing a government five years to implement policies ensures accountability and allows for long-term decision-making without constant threat of early elections. Laing emphasised that the existing constitution has served well by providing clear electoral terms, ensuring voters know what they are voting for in terms of governance duration.

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