Strong support for resignations
Two-thirds of Britons say MPs who defect to another political party should be required to resign and contest a by-election, according to a new YouGov poll.
The survey of 8,644 adults, conducted on 16 September 2025, found that 67% support forcing defecting MPs to face the electorate again. Only 11% believe MPs should be allowed to continue their term without re-election, while 22% were unsure.
Kruger switch reignites debate
The findings come just days after Conservative MP Danny Kruger announced he was leaving the party to join Reform UK, a move that has stirred fresh debate over democratic accountability.
Critics argue that voters in Devizes and Melksham elected Kruger on a Conservative ticket in 2019, and that his defection undermines that mandate. Supporters counter that MPs are elected as individuals and should be free to follow their conscience, even if it means changing allegiance.
Reform calls for change
Reform UK has welcomed Kruger’s move but has resisted calls for him to trigger a by-election, insisting that the focus should remain on preparing for the next general election. Meanwhile, opposition parties have seized on the polling as evidence of public frustration with political manoeuvring.
Pressure likely to grow
While UK law does not require MPs to stand down after a defection, the new polling shows strong appetite for reform. With defections likely to feature in the run-up to the next election, pressure may mount on Parliament to review the rules governing MPs who cross the floor.
