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4 August 2011
Last updated at 04:47 ET
MPs must not ignore calls for debates on the death penalty and other contentious issues after Parliament's e-petitions website goes live, House of Commons leader Sir George Young says.
The first petitions are to be published at midday, with those gaining more than 100,000 signatures being considered for a full parliamentary discussion.
MPs cannot simply "pretend" strong views do not exist, Sir George said.
Hundreds of petitions have been entered, he told the Daily Mail.
Among the most prominent campaigns is one calling for legislation allowing the death penalty for child killers and people who murder on-duty police officers.
Presented by Paul Staines, who writes the Guido Fawkes political blog, it has already been backed by several MPs.
'Serve democracy' Any petition signed by more than 100,000 UK citizens goes to the cross-party Commons Backbench Business Committee, which will decide whether it is worthy of debate.
Sir George wrote in the Daily Mail: "The site has been widely welcomed as a realistic way to revitalise public engagement in Parliament.
"But there have been some who have been concerned by some of the subjects which could end up being debated - for example, the restoration of capital punishment.
"The last time this was debated - during the passage of the Human Rights Act in 1998 - restoration was rejected by 158 votes. But if lots of people want Parliament to do something which it rejects, then it is up to MPs to explain the reasons to their constituents. What else is Parliament for?
"People have strong opinions, and it does not serve democracy well if we ignore them or pretend that their views do not exist."
Conservative MP Priti Patel said she favoured restoring capital punishment "for the most serious and significant crimes" - a position echoed by party colleague Andrew Turner.
'Crazy ideas' Sir George said hundreds of petitions had been submitted on subjects "from setting up an English Parliament to ensuring Formula One remains free-to-air".
Any petition deemed to be libellous, offensive, duplicates of existing open petitions or is not related to government will be rejected.
Moderators will also block any that concern honours and appointments.
Labour have said the petitions could lead to debates on "crazy ideas".
The system replaces the previous e-petitions pages on the Downing Street website, set up when Tony Blair was PM.
The most popular of these, with more than 1.8 million people in support, opposed road pricing.
More than 70,000 backed the one-word suggestion that Gordon Brown should "resign".
And almost 50,000 signed up to the idea that TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson should become prime minister.
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The first petitions are to be published at midday, with those gaining more than 100,000 signatures being considered for a full parliamentary discussion.
MPs cannot simply "pretend" strong views do not exist, Sir George said.
Hundreds of petitions have been entered, he told the Daily Mail.
Among the most prominent campaigns is one calling for legislation allowing the death penalty for child killers and people who murder on-duty police officers.
Presented by Paul Staines, who writes the Guido Fawkes political blog, it has already been backed by several MPs.
'Serve democracy' Any petition signed by more than 100,000 UK citizens goes to the cross-party Commons Backbench Business Committee, which will decide whether it is worthy of debate.
Sir George wrote in the Daily Mail: "The site has been widely welcomed as a realistic way to revitalise public engagement in Parliament.
"But there have been some who have been concerned by some of the subjects which could end up being debated - for example, the restoration of capital punishment.
"The last time this was debated - during the passage of the Human Rights Act in 1998 - restoration was rejected by 158 votes. But if lots of people want Parliament to do something which it rejects, then it is up to MPs to explain the reasons to their constituents. What else is Parliament for?
"People have strong opinions, and it does not serve democracy well if we ignore them or pretend that their views do not exist."
Conservative MP Priti Patel said she favoured restoring capital punishment "for the most serious and significant crimes" - a position echoed by party colleague Andrew Turner.
'Crazy ideas' Sir George said hundreds of petitions had been submitted on subjects "from setting up an English Parliament to ensuring Formula One remains free-to-air".
Any petition deemed to be libellous, offensive, duplicates of existing open petitions or is not related to government will be rejected.
Moderators will also block any that concern honours and appointments.
Labour have said the petitions could lead to debates on "crazy ideas".
The system replaces the previous e-petitions pages on the Downing Street website, set up when Tony Blair was PM.
The most popular of these, with more than 1.8 million people in support, opposed road pricing.
More than 70,000 backed the one-word suggestion that Gordon Brown should "resign".
And almost 50,000 signed up to the idea that TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson should become prime minister.
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