Government issues statement after thousands back petition calling for ‘general election now

The Government has said it is staying focused on delivering the changes people voted for at the last general election, after a large public petition called for Parliament to be dissolved and a new election to be held immediately.

The statement came after more than 180,000 people signed a petition demanding that Parliament be dissolved and that a general election be called right away. The petition was created by Robert JF Barnes and passed the 10,000-signature threshold that requires the Government to formally respond. By Thursday afternoon, the number of signatures had climbed past 181,000.

In the petition, supporters argue that when Keir Starmer became Prime Minister on July 4, 2024, his government later introduced policies that were not clearly set out in Labour’s election manifesto. They claim voters were misled and say the situation has only become more confusing since he took office.

The petition also raises concerns about border control, particularly small boat crossings, and says the Government has failed to act effectively. It claims pensioners and farmers have been hit by policies that were never promised during the election campaign. The message from petition supporters is blunt: they say the country cannot continue like this and that the only solution is to dissolve Parliament and hold a new election.

In response, the Cabinet Office issued a statement on Wednesday, January 21. It said the Government continues to govern because it has the confidence of the House of Commons, whose members were elected by the public. The statement made it clear there are no plans to change the current arrangements or to call an early election.

The Government explained that under UK rules, a Prime Minister can request the dissolution of Parliament at a time of their choosing within the five-year lifespan of a Parliament. It stressed that the current Government was elected in July 2024 with what it describes as a clear mandate for change, and that it intends to carry on with that work.

According to the statement, the Government says it has already brought stability back to how the country is run and has secured £340 billion in investment. It also claims that wages have risen more in its first year in office than they did during the previous ten years under the last government.

The Government highlighted other achievements it says show it is delivering on its promises. It says NHS waiting lists have been cut by 225,000, thousands of free breakfast clubs have been introduced in schools, and the National Minimum Wage has been increased. It also points to the passing of an Employment Rights Act, which it says was a key manifesto pledge.

The statement adds that families will see £150 taken off their energy bills this year, rail fares will stay frozen for the first time in 30 years, and NHS prescription charges will be capped at under £10. The Government says these steps are meant to bring real, everyday improvements to people’s lives.

The Cabinet Office ended its response by repeating that the Government will continue to deliver the programme of change it was elected on.

Under the UK petitions system, when a petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Government must consider it for a debate in Parliament. In this case, ministers said they decided not to schedule a debate because a similar issue had already been discussed on January 12.