‘Immediate general election’ to be considered for debate in parliament

Charlie Herbert

‘Call an immediate general election so that the people can decide who should lead us through these unprecedented crises’

A petition calling for an immediate general election following the economic fallout of the government’s mini-budget has reached 100,000 signatures, meaning it must be considered for debate in parliament.

This was confirmed in an update on the campaign’s page, which simply reads: “Parliament will consider this for a debate.”

At the time of writing, the petition has amassed 105,000 signatures.

The petition reads: “The chaos engulfing the UK government is unprecedented.

“Over 40 ministers resigned leaving departments without leadership during cost of living, energy and climate crises.

“War rages in Ukraine; the Northern Ireland Protocol has further damaged our relationship with Europe; recession looms; the UK itself may cease to exist as Scotland seeks independence.

“This is the greatest set of challenges we have seen in our lifetimes. Let the people decide who leads us through this turmoil.”

It adds: “Call an immediate general election so that the people can decide who should lead us through these unprecedented crises threatening the UK.”

🎵Bonkers – Liz Truss ft Dizzee Rascal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uwkQJTaCSg

— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) September 28, 2022

According to UK rules, petitions that reach 10,000 signatures get a response from the government, while those with 100,000 signatures are considered for debate in Parliament.

Unsurprisingly though, the government has given it short shrift.

In response to the petition reaching 10,000 signatures, the government said: “The United Kingdom is a Parliamentary democracy, not a Presidential one.

“Following the general election of December 2019, Members of Parliament of the governing party (the Conservative Party) were elected, such that there is a majority in the House of Commons. This remains the case.

“A change in the leader of the governing party does not trigger a general election – this has been the case under governments of successive political colours.

“In her speech of 6 September 2022, the new Prime Minister set out three early priorities: to grow Britain’s economy, deal with the energy crisis caused by Putin’s war, and putting the national health service on a firm footing.

“The Prime Minister is determined to address the challenges the country faces and ensure opportunity and prosperity for all people and future generations.

But Liz Truss is also facing criticism from her own MPs who have been left bemused and furious at the economic impact of Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s economic policies announced last week.

Since the mini-budget, sterling has crashed against the dollar and the Bank of England has had to buy government bonds in order to prevent pension funds collapsing.

Jaw-dropping quotes on just how close we came to catastrophe today.

Senior banker describing the leveraged unwind in Gilts as coming close to triggering a "Lehman moment". Asset manager accusing the Bank of England of ignoring calls to intervene sooner 🤯https://t.co/ZOGEzhHjVY pic.twitter.com/4VhnvbFlvL

— Robert Smith (@BondHack) September 28, 2022

On Thursday morning, the Prime Minister finally faced the music as she did the rounds of local radio stations to answer questions about the economic situation the country is facing following the Chancellor’s mini-budget last week.

In her first public comments since the mini-budget market chaos, Ms Truss defended Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s measures, insisting “urgent action” was needed, although she admitted the Government’s decisions have been “controversial”.

But it wasn’t a great morning, for the Tory leader, as she was skewered by every single presenter she came up against.

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