Starting a Petition

Petitions usually set out an aim or ask Parliament to take some action (e.g. reducing the exportation of waste to third world countries). Organisers then ask people to sign the petition to show support for the aim. 

Petitions can be used to raise awareness of an issue, lead to or influence a debate in Parliament or bring about change in Government policy. As successful petitions are generally signed by many people, they can show the level of support for a particular point of view.

When writing a petition you should: 

  1. Describe the situation or the problem that you wish to be resolved

  2. Indicate why it is important to you and to others

  3. Suggest a solution or actions which you believe should be taken and explain why

 
Graphic with the flag of Scotland in the background. In the foreground, the bottom right corner, an animated girl jumps with a sign that says 'REAL CLIMATE ACTION NOW!'. Title text reads 'Petition in Scotland'

Petition in scotland

Any person or organisation can start a petition. You are not required to live in Scotland and you do not have to be over 16. In Scotland, petitions which are intended to be considered by the Scottish Parliament should be submitted through the Scottish Parliament’s e-petition website: Petitions - The Scottish Parliament

You can start a petition on almost any topic. However, it must fall within the remit of the Scottish Parliament (to find out what the Scottish Parliament is responsible for click here. The petition can be rejected for a number of reasons, for example if it contains false information, calls for a review of the law examined by the Scottish Parliament in the preceding 12 months, or is the same as another petition. 

In Scotland each petition is looked at by the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, regardless of whether signatures are collected or how many signatures are collected. They will decide if the aim of the petition falls within the remit of the Scottish Parliament. If it does, they will investigate what could be done. The committee then decides what action it wants to take. Their options are:

  1. Ask for evidence from the Scottish Government or another organisation

  2. Write to the petitioner for more information or invite the petitioner to talk to the committee

  3. Refer the petition to another committee

  4. Recommend actions for the Scottish Government

  5. Ask for a debate on the aim in the Parliamentary chamber

  6. Close the petition

Graphic with the flag of the UK in the background. In the foreground, the bottom right corner, an animated boy walks with a sign that says 'WHAT I STAND FOR IS WHY I STAND'. Title text reads 'Petition to the UK Parliament'

Petition to the UK Parliament 

Anyone who is a British citizen or a UK resident can petition the UK Parliament. The UK Government and UK Parliament's petition committee will only consider a petition when it is submitted through the UK Government and Parliament's petition website: Petitions - UK Government and Parliament

To be considered, the petition must call for a specific action from the UK Government or the House of Commons, about something that the Government or the House of Commons is directly responsible for.

  • If a petition gets 10,000 signatures the UK Government will respond

  • If a petition gets 100,000 signatures the petition will be considered for debate in the UK Parliament, and will normally be debated unless the issue has already been debated recently or there’s a debate scheduled for the near future

The Petitions Committee in Parliament, which is comprised of up to 11 backbench Members of Parliament (across the Government and Opposition parties) can consider your petition. They can do the following:

  1. Invite you to speak to the committee

  2. Ask for evidence from the UK Government

  3. Ask you for more information

  4. Press the UK Government for action and put forward the petition for debate

Alternatives to parliamentary petition processes

While it is possible to start petitions on other campaign websites, using the Scottish or UK Government’s platforms means that you can raise the issue directly with those in power. 

It is also possible to submit a petition to your Council. Individuals, businesses and community groups can start a petition on their local council website about an issue they are concerned about. The Council and its committee will consider petitions from members of the public or local businesses. As an example:

  • In Edinburgh, the Council will examine a petition started by an individual if it has the support of 50 people. It will also examine a petition started by a business if it has the support of 20 other businesses

  • In Glasgow, the Council will consider a petition by an individual with 25 signatories, or a petition by a local business with the support of 5 other local businesses

Before submitting a petition to your local council you should check what their specific requirements are.