More than 350,000 people have signed an official Parliament petition demanding an immediate general election, as Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government faces a dramatic collapse in public support just months after their landslide victory. The petition, which crossed the significant threshold before midday today, reflects growing discontent with the Prime Minister’s performance and his party’s plummeting popularity in recent polls.
The petition on the UK Parliament’s official website states simply: “We want an immediate general election to be held. We think the majority need and want change.” Having surpassed 100,000 signatures, it will now be considered for debate by MPs in Westminster Hall, whilst the government must provide a formal response after reaching the 10,000 signature mark.
This surge of public dissatisfaction comes as YouGov polling reveals Sir Keir has recorded his lowest net favourability rating on record at -46, with just 9% of Britons saying he has been a “great” or “good” Prime Minister. Even more concerning for Labour, only 18% of the party’s own voters believe he has performed well in office.
The crisis deepens as Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has taken the lead in voting intention polls. YouGov’s latest figures show Reform on 29%, Labour trailing at 22%, and the Conservatives in third place with 17%. This represents an unprecedented shift in British politics, with Reform UK now positioned as the largest party despite holding just five seats in Parliament.
The system is rigged when this government says there is no money for the poor, but billions for war,” declared Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader who recently announced the formation of a new left-wing party alongside MP Zarah Sultana. The veteran socialist’s new venture, temporarily dubbed “Your Party”, has already attracted over 650,000 supporters on its mailing list within days of launching.
Labour’s dramatic fall from grace has been particularly stark amongst its own supporters. According to YouGov data, half of 2024 Labour voters now hold an unfavourable view of Starmer, marking the first time he has recorded a net negative approval rating among his party’s base. The proportion viewing him favourably has collapsed from 87% immediately after the election to just 57% currently.
The Petitions Committee, which oversees the process, confirmed that similar petitions calling for general elections have been debated before. A comparable petition in 2023 attracted over three million signatures and was subsequently debated in Parliament, though constitutional convention dictates that such debates cannot trigger elections outside the normal parliamentary cycle.
Government sources maintain that the next general election is not due until 2029, following July’s decisive Labour victory which saw them win 412 seats. A government spokesperson stated: “The Government was elected by the British people on a mandate of change at the July 2024 general election. It is a core constitutional principle that the government of the day derives its mandate to govern from its ability to command the confidence of the elected House of Commons.
The petition’s momentum reflects broader public dissatisfaction with Labour’s performance across key policy areas. Two-thirds of Britons say the government is handling inflation poorly, whilst 71% disapprove of their management of the wider economy. Even amongst Labour voters, attitudes towards economic performance have turned negative, with 49% saying the party is mismanaging inflation.
Reform UK’s surge has been particularly pronounced amongst older voters and those who supported Brexit in 2016. The party leads amongst over-65s and attracts 46% support from Leave voters. Their rise has been attributed to strong positions on immigration and crime, areas where they now poll as the most trusted party.
A division in the anti-conservative, anti-right-wing vote can only assist the parties of the right,” warned Neil Kinnock, the former Labour leader, commenting on the fragmentation of progressive politics with Corbyn’s new party launch.
The crisis for Starmer’s government has been compounded by a series of political missteps, including controversial decisions to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners and increase national insurance contributions for employers. Nearly four in ten Britons now believe the UK is worse off than under the previous Conservative government, compared to just one in four who think it is better.
Political analysts suggest the petition, whilst constitutionally unable to force an election, represents a significant barometer of public mood. Professor Tim Bale of Queen Mary University of London noted: “This level of discontent so early in a government’s term is highly unusual and suggests deep structural problems with Labour’s approach.
The petition will continue to gather signatures for six months, closing on 20 May 2025. With Parliament required to consider it for debate after passing 100,000 signatures, MPs will likely discuss the public’s concerns in Westminster Hall, though any such debate cannot constitutionally trigger an early election.
As British politics enters uncharted territory with Reform UK leading polls and new parties emerging on both left and right, the traditional two-party system appears increasingly under threat. Whether this represents a temporary protest or a fundamental realignment remains to be seen, but the scale of public dissatisfaction reflected in today’s petition milestone sends a clear message to Westminster.
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