A petition calling for an immediate general election has smashed through one million signatures, forcing an official government response and piling pressure on Keir Starmer’s administration just 16 months into Labour’s term.
🗳️ One million call for change
The petition, hosted on the UK Government and Parliament website, asks voters to back the statement: “We want an immediate General Election to be held. We think the majority need and want change.”
It has now surpassed one million signatures, far exceeding the 100,000 needed for a Parliamentary debate.
At the time of writing, it stands at 1,018,245 signatures. You can sign it here.
🏛️ Government forced to respond
The government has already issued a formal reply, insisting it has no plans to call another election:
“This Government was elected on a mandate of change at the July 2024 general election,” the statement read.
“Our full focus is on fixing the foundations, rebuilding Britain, and restoring public confidence in government.”
It went on to defend Labour’s record so far, highlighting its five “missions” – economic growth, fixing the NHS, safer streets, clean energy, and equal opportunity – while acknowledging that a £22 billion black hole was discovered on taking office.
The reply added:
“We inherited unprecedented challenges, with crumbling public services and crippled finances, but will deliver a decade of national renewal.”
💬 Growing voter frustration
The petition comes amid growing public frustration over the government’s handling of the migrant crisis, broken manifesto promises, and fears that Chancellor Rachel Reeves could raise income tax in the upcoming Budget.
Online users quickly rallied behind the campaign. One wrote:
“Please add your details if you would like to see change. Let’s fight for an immediate general election.”
Another added:
“I don’t usually do politics, but this country is a mess and Labour are destroying it.”
🕐 Debate expected within 96 days
Under parliamentary rules, petitions that exceed 100,000 signatures must be considered for debate. The official deadline for this petition is December 5, but organisers expect it to reach Parliament well before then.
The last major petition calling for a re-run of the 2024 election – launched in January – reached 2.8 million signatures. It was debated in the Commons, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch telling the Prime Minister it showed “two million people asking him to go.”
Starmer dismissed the idea at the time, saying:
“The election result last July was a massive petition in itself.”
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Barbara Cooke
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