Sir Keir Starmer has rejected demands for an immediate general election after more than 700,000 people signed a petition. The petition on the official Parliament website called for a fresh ballot, which is not due until 2029, to be held following Labour’s landslide victory in July last year.
It said: “We want an immediate general election to be held. We think the majority need and want change.” The petition has now received a response from the Government after receiving well over the required 10,000 signatures.
The response says: “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.
“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.
“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 adds: “On entering office, a £22 billion black hole was identified in the nation’s finances.
“We inherited unprecedented challenges, with crumbling public services and crippled public finances, but 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. This is what was promised and is what we are delivering.
“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.”
It comes as a new YouGov poll shows that even among Labour voters 50% disapprove of the Government’s performance so far.
