After 'Revoke Article 50', what are Britain's biggest petitions - and did they work?

The ‘Stop Brexit’ online campaign with more than 5.8 million signatures has shown how ‘people power’ can swell support for one particular issue.

Petitions let the public voice their collective feelings to government on certain subjects – and hopefully enact change.

If any petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the government must respond. If it reaches 100,000, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

So with the ‘Revoke Article 50’ campaign getting a Government response this week, which other UK petitions gained the most support – and did any make a difference?

Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU

Opened: 20 February 2019
Signatures: 5,870,760 (still open)

Did it result in action?
This petition made headlines around the UK for being the most signed in history.

At one point there were about 2,000 people signing a minute, which caused the website to crash repeatedly.

The Government responded on 26 March, saying: “This Government will not revoke Article 50.”

Parliament is due to debate this on 1 April.

EU Referendum Rules triggering a 2nd EU Referendum

Opened: 25 May 2016
Signatures: 4,150,262

Did it result in action?
The petition called for a second referendum, asking the government to “implement a rule that if the remain or leave vote is less than 60% based a turnout less than 75% there should be another referendum.”

It was responded to on 8 July 2016, with the government saying: “The European Union Referendum Act received Royal Assent in December 2015, receiving overwhelming support from Parliament.

“The Act did not set a threshold for the result or for minimum turnout.”

Two weeks ago MPs voted against holding a second Brexit referendum by a majority of 249 votes.

Prevent Donald Trump from making a State Visit to the United Kingdom

Opened: 9 November 2016
Signatures: 1,863,708

Did it result in action?
While Downing Street did confirm that Theresa May would not be withdrawing her invitation to the US president because it remained “substantially in the national interest”, Trump himself told Mrs May he did not want to go ahead with a state visit to Britain until the British public supported him coming.

When he finally did arrive in July 2018, it caused national outrage and protests, including the flying of the ‘Trump Baby’ blimp.

Give the Meningitis B vaccine to ALL children, not just newborn babies

Opened: 14 September 2015
Signatures: 823,349

Did it result in action?
Although debated on 25 April 2015, the Government did not change the age of infants receiving vaccinations to 11, as the petition called for.

Ban all ISIS members from returning to UK

Opened: 6 November 2018
Signatures: 593,457 (still open)

Did it result in action?
Particularly topical due to recent news coverage of Shamima Begum, it was debated in Parliament on 18 March 2019, and Government responded saying: “British citizenship can be removed if it does not render the individual stateless.

“Any risk posed by those who return from Syria will be managed and they may be investigated for criminal offences.”

Block Donald Trump from UK entry

Opened: 8 December 2015
Signatures: 586,930

Did it result in action?
Government responded on 29 December 2015 saying: “The Government has a policy of not routinely commenting on individual immigration or exclusion cases.”

Leave the EU without a deal in March 2019

Opened: 17 October 2018
Signatures: 580,945 (still open)

Did it result in action?
A debate was held on 14 January 2019 and Government said: “The deal that we have reached with the EU is the right one for the United Kingdom.

“Leaving without a deal would risk uncertainty for the economy, for business and for citizens.”

Stop all immigration and close the UK borders until ISIS is defeated

Opened: 9 September 2015
Signatures: 463,501

Did it result in action?
The Petitions Committee decided not to debate this petition and the Government released a statement saying: “The UK government has no intention of closing Britain’s borders, as this would create more problems than it would solve.

“The UK remains ‘open for business’ for legitimate travellers and trade whilst operating its borders securely to protect the public from the threat of terrorism.”

Accept more asylum seekers and increase support for refugee migrants in the UK

Opened: 13 August 2015
Signatures: 450,287

Did it result in action?
Parliament debated this topic on 8 September 2015 and the next day, Government responded saying: “The UK has a proud history of providing refuge to those in genuine need of protection.

“To support this commitment, the Prime Minister has announced that the Government will expand the existing Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme to resettle around 20,000 Syrians in need of protection during this Parliament.”

Consider a vote of No Confidence in Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary

Opened: 11 February 2016
Signatures: 339,925

Did it result in action?
Government responded on 17 March 2016 saying: “The latest staff survey showed NHS staff engagement is at a 5 year high.

“We will continue to invest in and support NHS staff to help deliver safe, high quality patient care every day of the week.”

The Petitions Committee decided not to debate the subject.