Forum Topic

Petition ~ Calling For A General Election

This petition is gathering omentum.  If you think that our country deserves the chance to oust this disastrous and inept Labour government, here is te link to sign it:https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/727309

Sue Hammond ● 3d23 Comments

Mr Rose'I wonder how many of those contributors to the Forum who before the election argued that a vote for Labour would be a vote for decency,  social justice and economic growth, are now feeling buyers’ remorse in the light of freebies for government minister, a crushing inheritance tax on cash-poor farmers and a black hole approaching £50 billion thanks to Rachel Reeves’ disastrous tax raid on employers.'But they must surely be impressed by Mrs Starmer who I am sure used her freebie tickets to Ascot races to put on a big bet in order to try to fill Rachel's black hole !

John Hawkes ● 2d

It can hit 20 million, it's still not going to get you an election.

Michael Brigo ● 2d

Now 542,727 signatures.  This is remarkable.

Sue Hammond ● 3d

" Rishi and his ministers (as far we know) bought their own clothes.."Billions missing during the pandemic with contracts given to chums whist Labour neglected their duty to hold them to account. They both take it in turns damaging the standard of living of the average citizen.How anyone can defend the uni-party party is beyond comprehension!Look at the Afghan war that both parties spent decades supporting and it's still costing us billions each year. Has anyone of these carpetbaggers been held to account?It takes decades for the public to find out that the government has lied to them yet we have zero prosecutions and zero accountability in the UK. The worst that happens to them is that they ended up with titles and in the House of Lords.

Ed Robinson ● 3d

Succinctly put Steven👏🏻and yet there are still some posters who seemingly still support them. 538,551 signatures in less than 9 weeks and it will remain open until 5th December.  At the rapid rate it is now escalating it won't be too long before it hits a million!

Sue Hammond ● 3d

Is that choice based on reason or prejudice? Consider the evidence:-The Tories left a black hole of £7 billion according to the OBR, which Labour pretend was £20 billion, and now it's actually £50 billion.- The Tories had a plan in place to deter illegal migrants which Labour scrapped, with the result that more people have crossed the Channel this year than ever before.- Rishi Sunak brought inflation down to 2.2% and now it's running at 3.6%.- The Tories rejected Treasury advice to withdraw WFA and impose IHT on farms, while Labour did both.-The Tories resisted excessive pay claims by the BMA while Labour caved in on taking iffice and are now facing further strikes.- Rishi and his ministers (as far we know) bought their own clothes while Keir Starmer and his cabinet colleagues received freebies.

Steven Rose ● 3d

Hello David,Yes, I heard those statistics too.  It really goes to show what a lamentable state the UK politics are in....

Ivonne Holliday ● 3d

Voting intention in the United Kingdom 2020-2025Published by Statista Research Department, Aug 5, 2025"In August 2025, approximately 21 percent of people in the UK would vote for the governing Labour Party in a potential general election, behind Reform UK on 27 percent, with the Conservatives third on 17 percent. Since returning to power, support for the Labour Party has fallen considerably, with the government's sinking approval rating approaching the unpopularity of the previous government."

David Ainsworth ● 3d

Didn't vote for them, still prefer them to the Tories.

Michael Brigo ● 3d

Hello Steven,I think many people on the Forum wanted the Conservatives out.  It always happens after 12 years (as in the case of Maggie Thatcher and John Mayor) or 14 years as it happened in 2024. On the whole, it was a vote for change which was very much needed at the time.  Was it for the better?  Hmmm Was it for worse?  Who knows?  What are you comparing it with?That people said that a vote for Labour would be a vote for decency, social justice and economic growth, I cannot remember this in particular.  But I agree that this Labour government has been very disappointing indeed (to put it politely).  The famous £22b black hole inheritance from the Tory government - never saw any evidence of this, not a single spreadsheet.  We only had their word for it.The first shock was the withdrawal of the WFA. Then came the increase of NI for employers, then came the questionable inheritance tax on farmers....  And now, the black hole is almost £50b - who will they blame for this?But, as I said before, sadly there is not one electable politician, forget about a party, in the UK at the moment.  All very depressing indeed.

Ivonne Holliday ● 3d

I wonder how many of those contributors to the Forum who before the election argued that a vote for Labour would be a vote for decency,  social justice and economic growth, are now feeling buyers’ remorse in the light of freebies for government minister, a crushing inheritance tax on cash-poor farmers and a black hole approaching £50 billion thanks to Rachel Reeves’ disastrous tax raid on employers.

Steven Rose ● 3d

Over half a million now but I recall some participants of this Forum scoffing at a petition which some 4,150,262 signed back in 2016. That turned out to be a waste of time too!

Jonathan Callaway ● 3d

I totally agree with you, Ed.  I said in my post:"However, I can see the Government's response will be that they were elected by a majority and will not call an election before they need to, namely by August 2029....." It is not what I believe in, it is the government's response.  As you say, they got the majority of seats in the HoC but it translates to 33.7% of the vote makes them the winners when 63% of the electorate did not vote for them. And the distribution of seats in the House does not represent the true result of the election.That is the problem with FPP system.....

Ivonne Holliday ● 3d

I can't disagree apart from the fact they were not elected by a majority. They won a majority of seats yes, but with 33.7% of the vote.Let's not over egg their mandate or our democracy.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_Kingdom_general_election

Ed Robinson ● 3d

The pretence that we have had a two party system a not a uni party for the vast majority of the last few decades continues.As for the almost half a million petition it is correct it las little chance of success. However it is likely to have more impact than posting on this forum - so why bother?

Ed Robinson ● 3d

The petition is nearing 500,000 at the moment. These petitions are a good indicator as to how people feel.However, I can see the Government's response will be that they were elected by a majority and will not call an election before they need to, namely by August 2029.....Also, at the moment, there is not one single party, let alone a politician, that is eligible to govern, not one!  So the alternatives are, in my view, dire.  So, will the cure be worse than the disease?  Very depressing indeed!

Ivonne Holliday ● 3d

"you might end up with a LibDem, Green, SNP coalition …"PLUS The Allotment Party.

David Ainsworth ● 3d

Careful what you wish for … with the apparent demise of the two party system, the option of six or more parties and the vagaries of the FPTP system you might end up with a LibDem, Green, SNP coalition …

Michael Ixer ● 3d

@GillbeWhat a bloody stupid comment🙄

Sue Hammond ● 3d

:-)

Michael Ixer ● 3d

Omentum seems apposite

Charles Gillbe ● 3d

I don't have a strong feeling eithe way but a petition has absolutely zero chance of success in forcing an election.Not signed - absolutely no point.

Michael Brigo ● 3d

It seems every time we pretend to change government we become poorer and national debt grows. A new lot of self serving and lying carpet baggers then take office.Labour through a cheap political point scoring exercise immediately sank growth and has managed to double the so called black hole in the budget. Not to mention their attack on free speech.I not sure that I would vote for any of the political parties and I think our only hope is to move closer to direct democracy with a complete reform of our secrecy laws. You can not have democracy without transparency.However being practical we must vote out of office all those that deceive and are corrupt as quickly as possible at every level.Signed.

Ed Robinson ● 3d