Ealing Council's Petition Rule Change Blasted

Ealing has more than doubled the number of signatures needed to bring a petition to a debate in a move the opposition leader has described as an attempt to “shut people up.” The policy was adopted by the council following a vote on Tuesday (15 July).

Currently, 1,500 signatures (0.4 per cent of the population) are needed to trigger a debate petition at Ealing Council. However, under new rules at least 3,671 signatures will be required – equating to one per cent of the borough’s population.

Speaking outside the council before the meeting, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Cllr Gary Malcolm, said, “They are only bringing this in to shut people up.” Cllr Malcolm was speaking to protestors from the Save Ealing’s Children’s Centres campaign.

One of the lead campaigners, Craig Smith, echoed this sentiment. He told demonstrators: “They are trying to rig the system against public engagement with local democracy.”

Cllr Shaw moved the motion, stating: “We have had relatively little debates from petitions, but two in the last year, which is fine.” All present Labour councillors voted in favour of the change, with all Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors voting against.

Once it was confirmed that the motion had passed, the decision was met with chants of “shame” and “disgraceful” from a packed-out public gallery. Ealing Council says it has consulted with all political groups at the council, and a benchmarking exercise was carried out across London before drafting a new scheme.

In Hounslow, 10 signatures trigger formal action, if it is a borough wide concern, there is no additional threshold that met. Instead, it is referred for consideration to be discussed at full council.

Nearby, in Hillingdon, there is no threshold to trigger a debate, however once a borough wide issue reaches 100 signatures it is formally considered by council officers who may invite the petitioner to present this in a hearing. In Hammersmith and Fulham, 5,000 signatures are required to trigger a full council debate.

Ealing Council also voted to ban hybrid petitions (paper and electronic). This approach is one which differs from neighbouring boroughs, as both Hounslow and Hillingdon Councils accept hybrid petitions.

The council says it will not raise any barriers to democratic engagement, instead describing it as “the fairest, most efficient, and most transparent way of managing petitions.”

A council spokesperson added: “Using the council’s system is the preferred method as it makes it quicker to see the open e-petitions and easier for residents to take part, ensuring live data of petitions being considered are all in one place including if they are at the debate threshold, and it helps to support the planning of council meetings.

“This approach is no different to that of the UK parliament. It ensures signatures and addresses can be verified and do not get replicated, which is difficult and creates delays when using multiple other platforms and affects the number of signatures considered as valid.”

Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter

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