Prompt Cast
How MPs in the British House of Commons can quit despite it being illegal to resign
TLDR Although it is illegal to resign from the British House of Commons, there are historical quirks and loopholes that allow MPs to vacate their seats, such as being appointed to positions by the king or queen or using empty titles like the children hundreds and the Manor of Northstead.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Once elected to the British House of Commons, it is illegal to resign, but there is a convoluted way to quit.
01:32
Once elected to the British House of Commons, it is illegal to resign, which dates back almost 400 years when serving in Parliament was an unpaid position and attending to personal affairs was difficult due to travel time.
02:57
It is illegal to resign from the British House of Commons, but MPs have found ways to vacate their seats, particularly when Prime Ministers step down or if they accept a position of profit from the Crown without permission.
04:23
MPs in the British Parliament cannot resign, but they can be expelled if they are appointed to a position by the king or queen, which has been used as a loophole to vacate seats.
05:49
The positions of the children hundreds and the Manor of Northstead are used today to remove sitting members of Parliament by appointing them to these titles.
07:08
Resigning from the British Parliament is technically not allowed, but there are historical quirks and empty titles that have been used to remove MPs from Parliament.
08:25
Resigning from the British Parliament is technically not allowed, but there are historical quirks and empty titles that have been used to remove MPs from Parliament.
