Petitions in the UK are a significant part of the democratic process, allowing citizens to voice their concerns and request changes to laws or government policies. The Westminster Hall debates on petitions are often seen as the jewel in the crown of Parliament’s petitions process. However, according to the London School of Economics, research has found that only 23 per cent agreed e-petitions influenced government policymaking.
Michael Westwood started the petition to the UK parliament to ‘Call a General Election” on 31 October 2024, a day after the budget was presented.
He told the Express, “The British public feel like they have been betrayed with the promises that were told in the lead to the election and then what has been delivered since – it looks nothing like what was promised. I think people have had enough, people have seen what’s happened over in America as well, and I think that’s had a knock-on effect that, actually, if people stand together and vote then we can make a change.”
According to the BBC, by 27 November it had become the third most popular e-petition since 2010.
The Petitions Committee has confirmed that the petition will be debated in Westminster Hall on 6 January 2025 at 4:30 pm. The debate will be opened by Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone, who chairs the committee, and a government minister will respond.
It is not too late to sign the petition which you can do HERE. You’ll be able to watch the debate online on the UK Parliament YouTube channel HERE....<<<Read More>>>....
