An online petition demanding a new general election in the UK garnered 175,000 signatures within few hours of its launch and a reaction from Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Reacting to a post where an account shared an update regarding the signatures on the petition, Elon Musk said, “WOW.”
Michael Westwood started the petition on Wednesday, expressing discontent with the Labour administration and calling for a general election.
“I would like there to be another General Election. I believe the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election,” the petition reads.
According to the government site, as of 5:42 am (India’s time), the petition recorded 1,759,755 signatures.
The petition, highlighting Keir Starmer’s alleged failure to honour commitments, has been accumulating more than 100,000 signatures hourly.
Conservative leaders have interpreted the substantial response as public outrage over Labour’s perceived dishonesty. While the Government has rejected the appeal, which can only prompt a Westminster Hall discussion, the significant support raises concerns in Downing Street.
Westwood, whose Wagon and Horses pub offers pints from £2.30 (Rs 244.56), criticised Labour’s governance since July, stating it differs significantly from their manifesto promise, The Express reported.
Recent polls indicate Labour has experienced significant setbacks during their initial four months in office. An internal assessment revealed that changes to winter fuel allowance could affect 100,000 pensioners adversely.
The administration’s austerity measures, including reductions to the winter fuel allowance and cancellation of the £2 bus fare cap, have faced substantial criticism. These policies have particularly affected elderly and low-income groups. The Daily Mail reports that despite being presented as necessary measures, these decisions risk alienating supporters who contributed to Labour’s decisive July electoral victory.
‘Labour party will be crushed in next elections’: Musk
Earlier also, Musk had forecasted a decisive defeat for Labour in the upcoming general election whilst commenting on Sir Keir Starmer’s unfavourable approval ratings.
He said, “All establishment parties in the UK will get crushed in the next election.”
Musk, who is anticipated to play a significant role in Donald Trump’s administration, broadened his forecast to encompass all traditional political parties in Britain.
His comments emerged as a response to an X post displaying a graph that illustrated the declining approval ratings of the Prime Minister since assuming office.
The data, apparently sourced from More in Common polling, revealed a dramatic decline from a positive rating of +11 in July to a significant low of -38 in October, according to the Telegraph.
Recent figures indicate some improvement in the Prime Minister’s standing, with the rating recovering to -30 and subsequently reaching -25 in the current month.