{"links":{"self":"https://preview.epetitions.website/archived/petitions/37007.json"},"data":{"type":"archived-petition","id":37007,"parliament":{"period":"2010-2015","government":"Conservative – Liberal Democrat coalition","dissolution_at":"2015-03-30T23:59:59.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Make \"whipping\" illegal.","background":null,"additional_details":"Bribery, blackmail, intimidation and coercion have no place in politics.\r\n\r\nTo prevent such practices in parliamentary and local government elections, The Ballot Act of 1872 introduced the secret ballot for ordinary voters.\r\n\r\nThis purpose of this petition is to begin the process of extending that right to members of parliament, our elected representatives.\r\n\r\nIn a representative democracy, the elected representatives should always represent the electorate first. In order to be able to do this, every vote should be a free vote. Free from the bribery, blackmail, intimidation and coercion of party whips who put party and vested interests before those of an MP's constituents.\r\n\r\nAll parliamentary votes should be free votes.\r\n\r\nMPs should be empowered to represent the electorate first and foremost.\r\n\r\nSupport this petition to make \"whipping\" illegal.","committee_note":null,"state":"rejected","signature_count":1,"created_at":"2012-08-11T08:44:18.000Z","updated_at":"2020-02-16T19:28:19.959Z","rejected_at":"2017-06-21T12:39:05.047Z","opened_at":null,"closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2012-08-11T08:44:18.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_at":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"rejection":{"code":"irrelevant","details":"Whipping is a matter for political parties and not HM Government."},"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[],"topics":[]}}}