Have your say! Should Sir Keir Starmer call a general election?

A campaign for a fresh general election has rapidly gained momentum over the weekend. The petition, which began last week, has seen extensive circulation on social media platforms, with endorsements from politicians and celebrities.

Hosted on the official government website, the petition 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."

Have your say! Should we go back to the polls for the fifth time in ten years? Does a petition like this have any weight to it? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.

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The chance to promote the petition has not been missed by the Labour party's political rivals. Reform UK's MPs have been actively encouraging the public to sign the petition to demonstrate their disappointment with the government, with Rupert Lowe MP saying: "Register your discontent, register your anger, register your disgust with this Labour Government. Send Starmer a message. Sign, share, and share again."

Ex-Conservative MP Mark Jenkinson wrote: "It looks like we're heading for a parliamentary debate on having a general election and 'the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election'."

Olympic medallist Sharron Davies MBE confirmed her support by signing it, while Katharine Birbalsingh, dubbed "Britain's strictest headmistress", reflected: "Wouldn't it be extraordinary if Parliament had to debate this?"

The petition has been dubbed as one of the fastest growing the UK has ever witnessed, nabbing third place in the rankings for most popular petitions on the official government website. According to protocol, the government must respond to any petition amassing 10,000 signatures, and will consider putting those with 100,000 signatures up for debate in Parliament.

The chart's top two positions relate to Brexit matters. Over 6 million individuals called on the government in 2019 to cancel Brexit and stay in the EU, while back in 2016, over 4 million campaigned for a second Brexit referendum. Although neither appeal was successful, both were debated in Parliament.

Under the spotlight for making difficult decisions early in their governing period of 2024, the Labour party's recent moves have stirred controversy. Implementing means-testing for Winter Fuel Payments and pushing through a hefty tax-and-spend Autumn Budget mark big shifts for the country.

Despite the mixed responses, ministers are standing firm on their stance that these "tough choices" are vital for rectifying the so-called "damage" left by 14 years of Conservative leadership.

Have your say! Should we go back to the polls for the fifth time in ten years? Does a petition like this have any weight to it? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.