After gaining over 680,000 signatures in just a week, the UK Government has finally responded to the growing demand for a snap General Election to take place this year.
For the past 10 days, the Daily Star has been following the progress of a petition on the Government’s official website, which has quickly gained momentum with more and more people showing their support for an early election.
The petition reached a significant milestone last week when it surpassed 100,000 signatures, the required number for MPs to debate the issue. However, the total has now soared to 680,000, and this number is likely to keep climbing as more people sign on. The petition calls for an immediate general election, arguing that there is a clear need for change in the country, and that many people want a new direction for the UK.
By Friday, the number of supporters had already risen to about 137,000, and by now, it’s almost certainly much higher. This growing petition puts more pressure on the government, particularly on figures like Keir Starmer, who are now facing mounting public demand for a change in leadership.
The petition was started by an individual named Nicola Cree, and it has now reached the point where Parliament must debate it when they return from their summer break. This marks the second time in the past year that a petition calling for a new general election has hit the required number of signatures to force a debate in Parliament.
In response, the Government has released an official statement, making their position clear. They emphasize that they were elected based on a mandate for change in the July 2024 general election. The Government’s current focus is on rebuilding the country, improving public confidence in the government, and addressing key issues such as economic growth and restoring the NHS.
According to the statement, the Prime Minister can call for a general election anytime within the five-year term of Parliament, but the Government believes it has a responsibility to continue with its current agenda. This includes investing in the economy, creating jobs, and working on reforms to strengthen the country. The Government argues that it inherited significant financial challenges, including a £22 billion gap in the nation’s finances, and that their ongoing work is aimed at securing long-term stability and growth for the UK.
They also outline their commitment to five key missions: boosting economic growth, improving the NHS, making streets safer, transforming the UK into a clean energy leader, and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. The Government insists that they are following through on the promises they made during the last election.
In addition, they claim that their first Budget freed up billions of pounds for investment while avoiding cuts to public services and ensuring that workers’ wages are protected. The Government also stresses that they are committed to a long-term vision for national renewal and reject short-term, temporary fixes. They are focused on uniting various sectors of society, including government, business, and unions, in order to deliver lasting change.
In short, the Government is standing firm on its current agenda and has made it clear that it intends to stay focused on delivering the changes they promised, despite the growing calls for an early election.
