DRAFT Sovereignty Act 

An Act to reform the system of government in the United Kingdom by providing for the direct election of the Prime Minister and ministers responsible for government departments; to make provision about legislative procedures, including weighted voting and direct public participation in votes on legislation; to make provision about the recall of elected ministers and members of Parliament; to make provision about the negotiation and approval of departmental budgets; to amend enactments relating to elections, Parliament, ministers, budget responsibility, human rights, devolution and other matters; and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

PART 1

INTRODUCTION OF THE SOVEREIGNTY MODEL

1 Establishment of Sovereignty

(1) This Act establishes a system of government known as “Sovereignty” which provides for—

(a) the direct election of the Prime Minister and ministers responsible for government departments;

(b) revised procedures for the passage of legislation, including weighted voting and direct votes by the electorate;

(c) enhanced accountability through recall mechanisms; and

(d) departmental autonomy in budgetary matters subject to national coordination.

(2) In this Act—

“Directly Elected Minister” or “DEM” means a minister elected under section 2(3)(b) who is responsible for one or more government departments;

“Constituency MP” means a member of the House of Commons elected to represent a parliamentary constituency;

“Direct Vote” means a vote by the electorate on legislation or other matters as provided for by this Act, conducted as a referendum under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

(3) This Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom, subject to the adjustments for devolved administrations in Schedule 4.

PART 2

AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS TO EXISTING LEGISLATION

Representation of the People Act 1983

2 Amendments to the Representation of the People Act 1983

The Representation of the People Act 1983 is amended as follows.

(1) In section 1 (parliamentary electors), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) For the purposes of electing the Prime Minister, Directly Elected Ministers and Constituency MPs under the Sovereignty Act 2025, all qualified electors shall have the right to vote in national and constituency-based elections as provided under that Act.”.

(2) After section 23 insert—

“23A Elections under Sovereignty

(1) Elections shall be held for—

(a) the Prime Minister;

(b) Directly Elected Ministers for each government department, elected by plurality vote across the United Kingdom; and

(c) Constituency MPs for each parliamentary constituency, elected by first-past-the-post.

(2) The Electoral Commission shall oversee these elections, ensuring separate ballots for each role.

(3) Candidates for Directly Elected Ministers must declare their departmental focus and may run for multiple related departments, subject to regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(4) Regulations under subsection (3) are to be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.”.

(3) In section 40 (timing as to local elections in England and Wales), after subsection (3) insert—

“(4) General elections under the Sovereignty model shall occur every five years, or earlier if triggered by recall or dissolution, aligning with the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022.”.

(4) In Schedule 2, omit the provisions relating to party-list systems to the extent that they conflict with issue-based candidacies under this Act, but preserve first-past-the-post for Constituency MPs.

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

3 Amendments to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 is amended as follows.

(1) In section 10 (giving of advice and assistance), after subsection (7) insert—

“(8) The Electoral Commission shall provide guidance on issue-based campaigns for Directly Elected Ministers and Constituency MPs, reducing emphasis on party affiliations while permitting party endorsements.”.

(2) In sections 22 to 29 (registration of political parties), for “must” substitute “may” in relation to party registration, so as to allow optional registration for candidates running as independents or on issue-specific platforms under this Act.

(3) After section 101 insert—

“101A Regular Direct Voting Days

(1) Direct Votes on legislation or recalls shall occur on fixed dates: 5th March, 5th July and 5th November annually.

(2) The Commission shall regulate these votes as referendums, ensuring secure paper ballots and online petitions for initiation.”.

Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949

4 Amendments to the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949

(1) The Parliament Act 1911 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 1 (powers of House of Commons as to money bills), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) For the purpose of passing legislation under the Sovereignty Act 2025, voting in the House of Commons shall be weighted as follows—

(a) the sponsoring Directly Elected Minister counts for 30%;

(b) all other Directly Elected Ministers collectively count for 20%;

(c) Constituency MPs count for 25%;

(d) Direct Votes count for 25%.

Legislation passes if the total weighted vote exceeds 50%.”.

(3) In section 2 (restriction of the powers of the House of Lords as to bills other than money bills), after subsection (4) insert—

“(4A) This section has effect subject to the weighted voting system under section 1(1A) of this Act as inserted by the Sovereignty Act 2025.”.

(4) The Parliament Act 1949 is amended accordingly to align with the amendments made by subsections (2) and (3).

Recall of MPs Act 2015

5 Amendments to the Recall of MPs Act 2015

The Recall of MPs Act 2015 is amended as follows.

(1) In section 1 (how an MP becomes subject to a recall petition process), after subsection (5) insert—

“(6) This Act extends to Directly Elected Ministers under the Sovereignty Act 2025.

(7) For Directly Elected Ministers—

(a) a recall petition may be initiated if 25% of the national electorate signs it, leading to suspension of legislative powers until a recall election;

(b) if more than 50% of the national electorate signs it, His Majesty may dissolve the position, with the Prime Minister appointing an interim until a new election.”.

(2) In section 5 (Speaker’s notice that first, second or third recall condition has been met), after subsection (4) insert—

“(4A) For Directly Elected Ministers, the notice shall be given nationally and the petition process adjusted for national thresholds.”.

Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011

6 Amendments to the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011

The Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 is amended as follows.

(1) After section 5 insert—

“5A Sovereignty budget negotiations

(1) Directly Elected Ministers shall negotiate departmental budgets with the Chancellor of the Exchequer after an election.

(2) The Finance Bill and Charter for Budget Responsibility shall be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and Direct Vote on 5th November following a general election on 5th July.”.

(2) In sections 6 to 8, after each reference to “fiscal framework” insert “, including departmental autonomy under the Sovereignty Act 2025,”.

Human Rights Act 1998

7 Amendments to the Human Rights Act 1998

The Human Rights Act 1998 is amended as follows.

In section 6 (acts of public authorities), after subsection (3) insert—

“(4) The implementation of the Sovereignty Act 2025 must comply with the Convention rights, including Article 10 (freedom of expression), Article 11 (freedom of assembly and association) and Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 (right to free elections).”.

Ministers of the Crown Act 1975

8 Amendments to the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975

The Ministers of the Crown Act 1975 is amended as follows.

(1) Omit section 1 (transfer of functions between Ministers).

(2) After section 2 insert—

“2A Direct election of Ministers

(1) Ministers of the Crown shall be elected as Directly Elected Ministers under the Sovereignty Act 2025.

(2) The Prime Minister may not appoint Ministers except in interim cases under that Act.”.

House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975

9 Amendments to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975

The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 is amended as follows.

In section 1 (disqualification of holders of certain offices and places), after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A) This section applies to candidates for Directly Elected Minister under the Sovereignty Act 2025, but a Directly Elected Minister is not disqualified from serving as a Constituency MP if so elected.”.

Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

10 Amendments to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 is amended as follows.

In section 20 (treaty ratification), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) Treaties within the remit of the Directly Elected Minister for Globalisation under the Sovereignty Act 2025 require approval by Direct Vote if they bind the United Kingdom supranationally.”.

Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022

11 Amendments to the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022

The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 is amended as follows.

After section 3 insert—

“3A Dissolution triggered by recalls

(1) Parliament may be dissolved if recalls under the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (as amended by the Sovereignty Act 2025) affect half or more of Directly Elected Ministers.

(2) The Prime Minister must advise His Majesty accordingly.”.

Elections Act 2022

12 Amendments to the Elections Act 2022

The Elections Act 2022 is amended as follows.

(1) In section 1 (voter identification), after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) Voter identification requirements apply to elections for Directly Elected Ministers and Direct Votes under the Sovereignty Act 2025.”.

(2) In section 13 (postal voting), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) Postal voting rules extend to national ballots for Directly Elected Ministers.”.

Electoral Administration Act 2006

13 Amendments to the Electoral Administration Act 2006

The Electoral Administration Act 2006 is amended as follows.

In section 15 (use of personal identifier information), after subsection (4) insert—

“(4A) Personal identifiers may be used for verification in recall petitions and Direct Votes under the Sovereignty Act 2025.”.

Political Parties and Elections Act 2009

14 Amendments to the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009

The Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 is amended as follows.

In section 1 (compliance with controls imposed by the 2000 Act etc), after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) Controls on donations and expenditure apply to campaigns for Directly Elected Ministers under the Sovereignty Act 2025.”.

European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

15 Amendments to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 is amended as follows.

In section 8 (dealing with deficiencies arising from withdrawal), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) Regulations under this section must assign responsibility for supranational agreements to the Directly Elected Minister for Globalisation under the Sovereignty Act 2025.”.

Constitutional Reform Act 2005

16 Amendments to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005

The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 is amended as follows.

After section 26 insert—

“26A Special Adjudicator under Sovereignty

The Lord Chancellor must appoint a Special Adjudicator in accordance with this Part to determine jurisdictional matters under the Sovereignty Act 2025.”.

Devolution legislation

17 Amendments to devolution legislation

(1) The Scotland Act 1998 is amended as follows.

In section 28 (Acts of the Scottish Parliament), after subsection (7) insert—

“(7A) This section has effect subject to the Sovereignty Act 2025 in respect of reserved matters.”.

(2) The Government of Wales Act 2006 is amended accordingly.

(3) The Northern Ireland Act 1998 is amended accordingly.

PART 3

LEGISLATIVE PROCESS UNDER SOVEREIGNTY

18 Legislative authority

(1) A Directly Elected Minister may introduce a bill relevant to their department, subject to determination by the Special Adjudicator as to whether co-sponsorship with other Directly Elected Ministers is required.

(2) The Special Adjudicator is established by Schedule 2.

19 Voting mechanism

A bill passes if it receives a majority under the weighted voting system provided for by section 4.

20 Direct Democracy Days

Direct Votes shall be held on 5th March, 5th July and 5th November each year for the purposes of this Act.

PART 4

GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

21 Recall and accountability

The recall of Directly Elected Ministers and Constituency MPs is governed by the Recall of MPs Act 2015 as amended by this Act.

PART 5

MISCELLANEOUS AND FINAL PROVISIONS

22 Regulations

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for the purposes of this Act.

(2) Regulations under this Act are to be made by statutory instrument.

(3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this Act is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, except for regulations under section 25(2) which require approval by resolution of each House.

23 Transitional provision

(1) The first general election under this Act shall be held on a date appointed by the Secretary of State.

(2) Until that election, existing ministers continue in office.

24 Extent

This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

25 Commencement

(1) This section and sections 22 to 26 come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

(2) The remaining provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint.

(3) Different days may be appointed for different purposes or areas.

26 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Sovereignty Act 2025.

Schedules

SCHEDULE 1

SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS

(See section 2 to 17 for details of amendments and repeals.)

SCHEDULE 2

THE SPECIAL ADJUDICATOR

1 Appointment

The Special Adjudicator is to be appointed by the Lord Chancellor on the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Commission.

2 Functions

The Special Adjudicator shall determine—

(a) whether a bill falls within a Directly Elected Minister’s jurisdiction;

(b) whether co-sponsorship is required.

3 Tenure

The Special Adjudicator holds office during good behaviour.

SCHEDULE 4

ADJUSTMENTS FOR DEVOLVED ADMINISTRATIONS

1 Scotland

The Sovereignty model applies to reserved matters; for devolved matters, the Scottish Parliament may adapt provisions with the consent of the Secretary of State.

2 Wales

Similar provision as for Scotland.

3 Northern Ireland

Similar provision as for Scotland, subject to cross-community consent where required.