Keir Starmer dealt huge blow as election petition hits major new milestone

More than 800,000 people have signed a petition calling for a general election. The petition on the official Parliament website passed the latest milestone this evening.

It says: "We want an immediate general election to be held. We think the majority need and want change." The demand for a fresh general election, which is not due until 2029, comes just 13 months after Sir Keir Starmer's landslide victory in July last year.

But the Government has rejected the calls for another ballot to be held in a response last week.

It said: "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."

The response repeated the claim that Labour was left a £22 billion black hole in the public finances from the previous Tory administration, which they deny.

It adds: "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."

The petition could be debated by MPs after racking up more than 100,000 signatures.

However another petition calling for a general election was already discussed by MPs earlier this year after being backed by millions of people.

It comes as new YouGov polling showed the Government's net favourability rating has hit its lowest ever level since Sir Keir entered No 10 in July 2024.