A pub landlord’s viral petition demanding a general election has captured the public’s attention, amassing over 2.6 million signatures in just a week.

Michael Westwood, who runs three pubs in the West Midlands, said his frustration with Labour’s performance after its landslide victory in July pushed him to take action.

“I just thought they were being so negative all the time … They were putting the fear of God into people that everything was so bad. They had also gone back on their manifesto promises. I was just frustrated at what I was seeing and hearing it all the time, and it really annoyed me.”
Michael Westwood

Westwood described the moment he decided to act. He said, “I just typed into Google ‘how to change the Prime Minister,’ and it came back with start a petition. So that’s what I did.”

The petition, hosted on the UK government’s website, calls for a general election, stating: “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 campaign’s rapid success has surprised its creator. “I don’t consider myself political, but I’ve been staggered by the support,” Westwood said. While he voted Conservative in the last election, he believes the discontent is widespread, adding, “Not just those who did not vote for [Labour], but lots of Labour voters as well.”

Starmer Faces Plummeting Approval Ratings

The petition arrives at a precarious time for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, whose approval rating has fallen to a record low of -38. This sharp drop, occurring just months after Labour secured a 174-seat majority in July, represents a 49-point decline from his post-election high of +11.

The collapse of Starmer’s popularity contrasts sharply with former leaders like Tony Blair, who maintained a +46 rating three months into his premiership after Labour’s historic win in 1997.

Several contentious decisions have fueled public dissatisfaction. The government’s move to cut the universal winter fuel allowance for pensioners has sparked significant backlash, while the early release of prisoners has further alienated voters.

These issues, combined with an austere budget from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, have left many fearing rising taxes and reduced public spending. “Since they won the election, all they have done is talk down the country, and they have not been truthful,” Westwood added, echoing the sentiment of many disillusioned citizens.

When questioned about the petition, Starmer dismissed the calls for another election. “Look, I remind myself that very many people didn’t vote Labour at the last election. I am not surprised many of them want a re-run,” he said.

Analysts point to Labour’s perceived lack of direction and mismanagement of its agenda as further contributors to the growing discontent. Critics argue that the party has struggled to communicate its plans effectively, leaving many voters feeling worse off than before.

The surge in signatures for Westwood’s petition highlights the mounting pressure on Labour to regain public trust. Although the petition does not guarantee a new election, it reflects widespread frustration with a government that many feel has failed to deliver on its promises.

As the petition continues to gain momentum, Labour faces an uphill battle to address the grievances of both its supporters and critics. With a pivotal budget announcement looming, the government will need to act decisively to reverse its declining popularity and reassure a restless public.