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Status of independent Members of Parliament

Inquiry

In the July 2024 General Election, a record six independent candidates were elected to the House of Commons. In September 2024, five of those MPs informed the Speaker that they were forming an independent grouping in Parliament as a ‘technical group’, rather than a political party.  This letter has given rise to questions about the status of parliamentary groupings under House of Commons procedures, and the status of independent MPs as a whole.

As well as those who were elected as independents, the last few parliaments have seen many more ‘independent’ MPs, with ‘losing the whip’ being a common event which can now occur in different ways, and does happen more frequently, than in the past. There is therefore the potential for a significant number of ‘independent’ MPs at any given point in the course of a Parliament.

This inquiry is looking into the procedural status of independent MPs – both individually and collectively – in the House of Commons.

If you wish to contribute to the inquiry, please email the Committee at proccom@parliament.uk to discuss the Terms of Reference and how to submit written evidence.

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Contact us

  • Email: proccom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 3351 (General enquiries) / 0207 219 0969 / CommonsPressOffice@parliament.uk (Media enquiries) / 18001 020 7219 3351 (text relay)
  • Address: Procedure Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA