Here is the updated article, reflecting the new milestone of over 170,000 signatures and adjusting the narrative to highlight the rapid momentum of the movement.

Pressure Mounts on Starmer as General Election Petition Surpasses 170,000 Signatures

A petition demanding Sir Keir Starmer dissolves Parliament and calls an immediate General Election has surged past the 170,000-signature mark, gaining massive momentum just days before a high-stakes debate in Westminster Hall.

The petition, the third of its kind since Labour took office in July 2024, has seen a dramatic spike in support. After hitting the 100,000-threshold required for parliamentary consideration only recently, it has attracted an additional 70,000 supporters in a matter of hours, signaling deepening public dissatisfaction.

A Government Under Fire

The Prime Minister is navigating a severe backlash as opinion polls suggest his approval rating has plummeted to a net negative of minus 58 per cent. This growing discontent sets a tense backdrop for January 12, when MPs are scheduled to debate the possibility of a snap poll.

This latest movement follows two previous massive petitions:

• The first petition: Garnered over three million signatures.

• The second petition: Surpassed one million signatures last month.

While this third petition has comfortably exceeded the debate threshold, the Petitions Committee maintains the discretion to block a formal discussion if they deem the topic has been sufficiently covered in recent sessions. However, with the petition open until June 10, organizers expect the number to climb significantly higher.

“We Were Misled”

The petition’s creator, Robert JF Barners, argues that the current administration has strayed too far from its original promises. The description states:

“Since [July 4, 2024], this Government has introduced measures that were not included in the Labour Party’s manifesto. We believe we were misled… Pensioners and farmers have been directly affected by policies that were not included in Labour’s manifesto. Our country cannot go on like this.”

The Prime Minister’s Stance

Despite the 170,000-strong (and growing) demand for a new vote, Sir Keir Starmer has remained resolute. Addressing previous calls for a rerun of the election, the Prime Minister stated: “I’m not surprised that many [who didn’t vote Labour] want a rerun. That isn’t how our system works. My focus is on the decisions that I have to make every day.”

Under current UK law, following the repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, the power to request a dissolution of Parliament remains a royal prerogative exercised solely on the advice of the Prime Minister. Unless Sir Keir chooses to call an election, he is not legally required to do so for five years.

A “Double Blow”

Adding to the Prime Minister’s woes, a separate petition demanding the public be given a direct “vote of no confidence” in the government has also surpassed 105,000 signatures. The Cabinet Office has already responded to this demand, stating there are “no plans to change” the current constitutional arrangement where the Government only requires the confidence of the House of Commons to remain in power.