I think the whole country is now aware of the petition calling for a General Election and the significant level of engagement it has prompted. Incredibly, the Labour Government even inspired a Christmas parody song which has generated over £50,000 for Age UK.
By the date set for the debate, January 6th, over 3 million people signed the petition which stated ‘I believe the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election’.
I appreciate this reflects voters' deep and very real unhappiness with the new Labour Government. Please be assured that I share this sentiment, as do many people in my East Grinstead, Uckfield and the Villages constituency.
I am afraid I do not have space to list all the decisions that the current Government has made that constituents have indicated they find disagreeable; I will, however, mention a few:
- Cutting millions of pensioners’ access to the vital Winter Fuel Payment
- Imposing a punitive Inheritance Tax on farmers that will cause incredible damage the country’s food security and unfairly force families off land that they have farmed for generations.
- Breaking its manifesto commitment by raising employer National Insurance Contributions, imposing a tax on jobs that will stop businesses growing and will hit working peoples’ pockets.
- Cancelling an essential deterrent that would have helped to stop the small boat channel crossings.
- Giving away key strategic assets that help to keep our country safe.
- Plans to override local objections to implement mass housing projects and mega solar farms across rural constituencies.
- And most recently, their decision to withhold compensation from the WASPI women despite the numerous pledges and promises made in opposition.
Like many constituents, I am also deeply concerned by the lack of transparency the Government has demonstrated on matters of public interest. It is concerning that Lord Alli, who had gifted £39,122 worth of designer clothing to Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, was then found to be in possession of a No.10 pass without a clear explanation. I am further concerned by media reports that Lord Alli also influenced key appointments.
Likewise, I am deeply worried by reports regarding inconsistencies in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s CV. After all, misrepresenting one’s career on a CV (and, allegedly, on legal documents) is not a trivial matter, and must be investigated thoroughly, as it would be in any other workplace.
However, despite this petition demonstrating voters’ clear distaste for the policies and conduct of this Labour Government, there is no mechanism by which a petition can prompt a General Election.
The laws and conventions around calling an election require that a Parliament can be dissolved - and a General Election called - when either the maximum term of a Parliament has expired (currently, the maximum term is set at five-years from the date that a Parliament first meets); or by a proclamation of the King, signed at Privy Council. Since 1835, the Monarch’s power to dissolve a Parliament by issuing such a proclamation has only ever been exercised following a request by the Prime Minister.
Having said that, it can only be a good thing for the Labour Government to hear from the public that its policies are creating huge amounts of anger and distress among great swathes of the public.
You may be interested to read the debate which recently took place in Westminster Hall and the link can be found here: General Election - Hansard - UK Parliament
Part of my ongoing work, as we renew the Conservative Party to take on Labour, is to ensure we recover ground in local government and make sure the Conservative voice can be heard at every level throughout our constituency, from Parish to County. If you wanted to help us reach these key milestones, by working with me ahead of any local elections, it would be excellent to hear from you.
I would like to end by saying that it is a great honour to represent the East Grinstead, Uckfield and the Villages constituency. Regardless of when the next General Election is called, I remain ready to put my track record as MP – helping constituents, scrutinising the Government, and pushing back against measures that so many clearly disagree with - to the voters.
