The petition to revoke article 50 is scheduled to be discussed by MPs on Monday 1st April 2019. A response from the Government was issued on 26 March 2019.
This Government will not revoke Article 50. We will honour the result of the 2016 referendum and work with Parliament to deliver a deal that ensures we leave the European Union.
It remains the Government’s firm policy not to revoke Article 50. We will honour the outcome of the 2016 referendum and work to deliver an exit which benefits everyone, whether they voted to Leave or to Remain.
Revoking Article 50, and thereby remaining in the European Union, would undermine both our democracy and the trust that millions of voters have placed in Government.
The Government acknowledges the considerable number of people who have signed this petition. However, close to three quarters of the electorate took part in the 2016 referendum, trusting that the result would be respected. This Government wrote to every household prior to the referendum, promising that the outcome of the referendum would be implemented. 17.4 million people then voted to leave the European Union, providing the biggest democratic mandate for any course of action ever directed at UK Government.
British people cast their votes once again in the 2017 General Election where over 80% of those who voted, voted for parties, including the Opposition, who committed in their manifestos to upholding the result of the referendum.
This Government stands by this commitment.
Revoking Article 50 would break the promises made by Government to the British people, disrespect the clear instruction from a democratic vote, and in turn, reduce confidence in our democracy. As the Prime Minister has said, failing to deliver Brexit would cause “potentially irreparable damage to public trust”, and it is imperative that people can trust their Government to respect their votes and deliver the best outcome for them.
As the number of signatures approach 6,000,000 here are a few interesting facts and figures:
This is the number displayed on the petition website as the Total number of signatures
5,934,283 (as of Thu Mar 28 2019 3:49:52 PM)
The number of signatures counted from 650 constituencies is
5,584,488
The number of signatures counted from other countries is
246,889
Giving a total number of signatures of
5,831,377
(which is 102,906 fewer signatures than claimed on the petition website).
While writing this article the numbers have changed!! to reveal a current total of
5,935,511 (as of Thu Mar 28 2019 4:00:18 PM)
Summary
Constituency signatures: 5,585,644
Non-UK signatures: 246,953
Signatures from constituencies in London: 1,135,930
Approximately 20% of the total number of signatures are from London.
Approx 12% of the population of London (pop 9,176,530) have signed the petition.
Signatures from top 10 city constituencies: 244,956
The total signatures by region are
England: 4,692,169
Scotland: 547,303
Wales: 219,903
Northern Ireland: 126,269
Top 10 Constituencies are:
Bottom 10 Constituencies are:
Top 10 Countries are:
References:
Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU (petition)
