Thousands have signed online petitions calling for an immediate general election after a tumultuous few days in UK politics saw the resignation of Liz Truss. The Prime Minister announced on Thursday she would be standing down after less than two months in office, with a successor to be appointed in a week-long contest.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have both called for the country to go to the polls. Ms Sturgeon said it was now a "democratic imperative" while Sir Keir said an election should happen 'now'.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey told the PA news agency: "We don’t need another Conservative prime minister lurching from crisis to crisis, letting the British people down, increasing their mortgages, not tackling the economic problems. The only way we are going to sort this out is if the Conservative MPs for once do their patriotic duty and work with the opposition to get the general election our country needs to let the British people have their say."
Leaders of Wales’s nationalist party Plaid Cymru joined the calls, describing events at Westminster as a “chaotic circus”. Adam Price MS and Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “We urgently need a general election so that the people of Wales can reject this Westminster chaos at the ballot box."
Here are the main online petitions calling for a general election:
'We demand a general election now'
The Mirror today launched its own petition on the 38degrees petitions website. It said it was time for the British people to decide who runs the country.
The petition said: "To serve this country as Prime Minister was once a great honour. Those who stepped through the famous black door of Downing Street followed in the esteemed footsteps of William Gladstone, Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee.
"This Tory government has turned the centre of power into a bargain basement B&B for a succession of failed leaders. This abuse against democracy has to stop. A few thousand Conservative Party members should not be allowed to foist on this country one dud Prime Minister after another."
The petition can be found HERE.
'We Need a General Election Now'
On Change.org. the petition "We Need a General Election Now" was set up by David Marley, acting editor of the Independent. At the time of writing, it has been signed by 210,000 people.
It argues: "It is time for voters to decide who should govern the country and uphold the democratic principles our governing bodies are built on. For this reason, we are calling for a general election now.
"It is a simple and fundamental principle that the government derives its democratic legitimacy from the people. Let them have their say."
It can be found HERE.
'Call an immediate general election to end the chaos of the current government'
A petition on the UK Government website, 'Call an immediate general election so that the people can decide who should lead us through the unprecedented crises threatening the UK' currently has more than 600,000 signatures and was created in July.
The Government's response to it in September was: "The UK is a Parliamentary democracy and the Conservative Party remains the majority party. The Prime Minister has pledged to ensure opportunity and prosperity for all people and future generations."
The petition is HERE.
'Call a general election when a UK PM resigns'
This Change.org petition was trending on the website on Thursday afternoon and, although small at just over 1,700 signatures, appears to be gathering momentum. It takes a slightly different approach, arguing that a general election should be called within 50 days of a change of Prime Minister, following the resignation of their predecessor.
It said: "Since 1902, there have been more unelected* UK prime ministers than elected, including John Major, Gordon Brown, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and now Liz Truss. Far from being unusual, it’s actually the norm for prime ministers to enter office outside of a general election.
"When a prime minister steps aside there will inevitably be many changes – a change of policy, priority, ideology – which should be put back to the public. A prime minister should represent the people – at least the majority.
"If the next leader of the Conservative Party chooses not to call an early election, the next one will have to be held by January 2025. That's two more years of a leader who wasn't chosen by the vast majority of people in this country.
"Sign this petition if you agree that a general election must be called within 50 days of a change of prime minister, following the resignation of their predecessor."
The petition is HERE.
