What are the top 10 petitions and what action followed?

The petition to stop the Government suspending Parliament just weeks ahead of the Brexit deadline on October 31 is already the third most-signed on the Government’s website.
The petition garnered more than 100,000 signatures within hours and has now amassed more than 1.3 million less than 24 hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed he has asked the Queen to suspend Parliament.
It begs the question: do the most popular petitions lead to action by the Government?
Here are the top 10 most-signed Parliament campaigns, including what people argued for and the action that followed:
What was the petition arguing?
“We the undersigned call upon HM 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.”
Leave voter Oliver Healey claimed to have set up the petition before last year’s June referendum – fearing a narrow Remain victory – before it became a de facto protest petition by Remain supporters once the 52-48 majority vote for Brexit was confirmed.
How many people signed it?
4,150,262.
Did it result in action?
The topic was debated on 5 September 2016 before the Government confirmed it would not be pursuing a second referendum.
“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,” the Foreign Office said.
What was the petition arguing?
“Donald Trump should be allowed to enter the UK in his capacity as head of the US Government, but he should not be invited to make an official State Visit because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen.”
How many people have signed it?
1,863,708.
Has it resulted in action?
Parliament debated the matter but, as expected, the US President was invited for a state visit, which he made despite demonstrations.
Responding to the petition at the time, the Government said: “HM Government believes the President of the United States should be extended the full courtesy of a State Visit. We look forward to welcoming President Trump once dates and arrangements are finalised.”
What is the petition arguing?
“Parliament must not be prorogued or dissolved unless and until the Article 50 period has been sufficiently extended or the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU has been cancelled.”
How many people have signed it?
At the time of writing, 1,304,354.
Has it resulted in action?
After just 10,000 signatures, the Government is obliged to respond to the petition, but this campaign passed that number very quickly. Since passing the 100,000 mark, Parliament will consider the matter for debate.
With a considerable effort from outraged MPs opposing a no-deal Brexit expected, this petition may add some weight to the arguments against proroguing Parliament but time is not on their side as the Queen will enforce the suspension between September 9-12.
What was the petition arguing?
“All children are at risk from this terrible infection, yet the Government plan to only vaccinate 2-5 month olds. There needs to be a rollout programme to vaccinate all children, at least up to age 11. Meningococcal infections can be very serious, causing MENINGITIS, SEPTICAEMIA & DEATH.”
How many people signed it?
823,348.
Did it result in action?
The topic was debated on 25 April, 2016 but the Government has not extended the child vaccination programme up to 11 year olds.
The Department of Health said: “MenB vaccine is offered to infants, free on the NHS, at 2 months with further doses at 4 and 12 months. The programme, as advised by independent experts, offers protection to those at highest risk.”
What was the petition arguing?
“The UK has banned entry to many individuals for hate speech. The same principles should apply to everyone who wishes to enter the UK. If the United Kingdom is to continue applying the ‘unacceptable behaviour’ criteria to those who wish to enter its borders, it must be fairly applied to the rich as well as poor, and the weak as well as powerful.”
How many people signed it?
586,930.
Did it result in action?
The issue was debated on 18 January 2016 – almost a year to the day Trump would be inaugurated – but the Government refused to exercise exclusion powers that it said are “very serious and not used lightly”.
The Home Office confirmed then-PM David Cameron and then-home secretary Theresa May both rejected remarks made by Trump about Muslims during the US presidential campaign.
What was the petition arguing?
“In February 2015 Dr Shea, Nato’s Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, warned there would be IS jihadists on the refugee boats. IS also threatened to flood Europe with 500,000 jihadists.
“Allowing uncontrolled immigration and taking in these refugees potentially endangers the entire UK population. At any other time in our history this would be tantamount to a declaration of war and borders would be closed.”
How many people signed it?
463,501.
Did it result in action?
The issue was not debated by MPs because a similar petition – “stop allowing immigrants into the UK” – had been held the month before, in October 2015.
The Home Office said border checks had intensified after terror attacks in Paris but confirmed: “The UK government has no intention of closing Britain’s borders, as this would create more problems than it would solve.”
What was the petition arguing?
“There is a global refugee crisis. The UK is not offering proportional asylum in comparison with European counterparts. We can’t allow refugees who have risked their lives to escape horrendous conflict and violence to be left living in dire, unsafe and inhumane conditions in Europe. We must help.”
How many people signed it?
450,287.
Did it result in action?
An emergency debate on the refugee crisis was held on 8 September 2015 before a further debate the following day.
Then-PM David Cameron confirmed 20,000 more Syrians would be resettled under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme during the Parliament and a further £100m would be spent in humanitarian aid.
“The UK has a proud history of providing refuge to those in genuine need of protection. We will continue to play our full part at the forefront of the international response to the crisis,” the Government said.
What was the petition arguing?
“Mr Hunt recently gave totally inappropriate advice to Google conditions before seeking medical opinion. He referred to Paramedics as Ambulance Drivers and has caused the first Doctors strike in years of the NHS. Mr Hunt is destroying all staff morale in the NHS & will cause recruitment issues.”
How many people signed it?
339,925.
Did it result in action?
The issue was not debated. The House of Commons Petitions Committee said it did not have the power to schedule debates on motions of no confidence and urged: “It is usually more effective to start a petition calling for a specific change to government policy or the law, rather than a petition about an individual Minister.”
What was the petition arguing?
“Legalising cannabis could bring in £900m in taxes every year, save £400m on policing cannabis and create over 10,000 new jobs. A substance that is safer than alcohol, and has many uses. It is believed to have been used by humans for over 4000 years, being made illegal in the UK in 1925.”
How many people signed it?
236,995.
Did it result in action?
The topic was debated on 12 October 2015 but the Home Office confirmed the drug would remain illegal.
“Substantial scientific evidence shows cannabis is a harmful drug that can damage human health. There are no plans to legalise cannabis as it would not address the harm to individuals and communities,” the department said.
What was the petition arguing?
“Despite spending cuts at home the Government is committed to hand over 0.7% of national income in overseas aid, regardless of need. The Mail on Sunday believes voters do not want this and instead, we should provide money only for truly deserving causes, on a case-by-case basis.”
How many people signed it?
235,979.
Did it result in action?
The topic was debated in Parliament on 13 June 2016 but the Government said it was committed to its manifesto promise on overseas aid.
“The UK’s aid commitment means we can be proud to be a country that not only meets its responsibilities to the world’s poorest, but in doing so best serves and protects its own security and interests,” the Department for International Development said.
More than 25,000 petitions have been created on the Parliament site.
Here are the 11th-20th most-signed campaigns: