Disaster for Keir Starmer as nearly 900k people demand immediate general election

Nearly 900,000 people have signed a petition demanding an immediate general election. The online document reads: "We want an immediate general election to be held. We think the majority need and want change." The Government is obligated to respond to all petitions that garner at least 10,000 signatures, and consider for debate all that reach 100,000. In response to the call for a national poll, which, at the time of writing on September 9, 882,508 people had signalled their support for, it said: "This Government was elected on a mandate of change at the July 2024 general election. Our full focus is on fixing the foundations, rebuilding Britain, and restoring public confidence in government.

On September 1, the petition had attracted more than 850,000 supporters. The Government added: "The Prime Minister can call a general election at a time of their choosing by requesting a dissolution of Parliament from the Sovereign within the five-year life of a Parliament. The Government was elected by the British people on a mandate of change at the July 2024 general election. This Government is fixing the foundations and delivering change with investment and reform to deliver growth, with more jobs, more money in people’s pockets, to rebuild Britain and get the NHS back on its feet."

Sir Keir Starmer's administration also claimed that when taking office it had to cope with "unprecedented challenges, with crumbling public services and crippled public finances", but the Government insisted that it will "deliver a decade of national renewal through our five missions: economic growth, fixing the NHS, safer streets, making Britain a clean energy super-power and opportunity for all".

It comes as Rachel Reeves is facing criticism over her handling of the economy after hiking key taxes, including National Insurance.

Fears are swelling that even more could be increased in the Chancellor's Budget, set to be presented on November 26.

The Government also said in response to the petition: "The Government’s first Budget freed up tens of billions of pounds to invest in Britain’s future while locking in stability, preventing devastating austerity in our public services and protecting working people’s payslips.

"Mission-led government rejects the sticking-plaster solutions of the past and unites public and private sectors, national, devolved and local government, business and unions, and the whole of civil society in a shared purpose. The Government will continue to deliver the manifesto of change that it was elected on.

"This will be built on the strong foundations of a stable economy, national security and secure borders as we put politics back in the service of working people."

It added: "The Government’s first Budget freed up tens of billions of pounds to invest in Britain’s future while locking in stability, preventing devastating austerity in our public services and protecting working people’s payslips."

At Reform UK's conference in Birmingham last week, the party's leader Nigel Farage told members that they must be ready for an early general election after the resignation of Angela Rayner.

"We're about to witness a big rift in the Labour Party," he said. "I think there's every chance now of a general election happening in 2027 and we must be ready for that moment."

Reform has established a consistent lead in opinion polls.

The Prime Minister told his reshuffled top team this morning that “we’re up against those that feed off the politics of grievance”, and ministers have a “patriotic duty” to offer an alternative programme of “national renewal”.