A petition calling for a new general election has gained significant traction, gathering over two million signatures and becoming the third-highest petition since 2010. The petition, which accuses the Labour government of breaking promises, was set up last week and has been promoted by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the petition during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning, acknowledging that many people who did not vote for Labour in the last election are seeking a re-run. However, he emphasized that this is not how the UK’s political system operates.
The petition highlights the unique circumstances of Labour’s recent electoral victory. While the party secured a landslide win in July, winning 412 seats in the House of Commons and 9.7 million votes, they only received 35% of the total vote – the lowest share for a single-party government since the end of World War II.
Under UK petition rules, any petition that receives more than 10,000 signatures will receive a government response, and those exceeding 100,000 signatures may be considered for a parliamentary debate. This particular petition requires British citizens or UK residents to confirm their status and provide a postcode to sign.
Starmer defended his government’s approach, stating that he has “inherited a lot of problems” from the previous administration and is committed to making tough decisions for the country’s future. He acknowledged the challenges of governing but maintained that being in power is preferable to being in opposition.
The petition’s text explicitly states: “I would like there to be another general election. I believe the current Labour government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election.”
This is not the first time a petition has gained massive public attention. In 2019, a petition calling for Brexit to be cancelled received 6.1 million signatures, while a petition for a second Brexit referendum three years earlier gathered 4.2 million names.
Starmer remains focused on addressing key national issues, particularly in sectors like the NHS and education. He emphasized that while some people may be unhappy with the current government’s decisions, he is committed to making “big calls” that are crucial for the present and future of the country.
Despite the petition’s popularity, it will not automatically trigger a new general election. The prime minister appears confident in his government’s mandate and is determined to continue implementing his political agenda.
The petition reflects ongoing political discourse and public sentiment, demonstrating the active role citizens can play in expressing their views about government performance through official channels.
