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Call for General Election
12 January 2026
Lead MP
John Lamont
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Con
Responding Minister
Anna Turley
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Word Count: 25882
Other Contributors: 26
At a Glance
John Lamont raised concerns about call for general election in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should reflect carefully on the scale of this petition. It calls for a general election to address broken promises and failures such as winter fuel payment cuts, tax rises, family farm tax, pub closures due to business rates, illegal immigration increases, fewer police officers, and digital identification.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
More than 1 million people have signed this petition calling for a general election. The petition is set apart by its size and the speed with which public support has been mobilised. Constituents feel betrayed as Labour promised one thing before the election but did the complete opposite once in power.
Hitchin and Harpenden
Expressed concerns about the long-term trend of public disillusionment with politicians and the ability of politics to deliver positive changes, mentioning specific issues like healthcare access, childcare affordability, and cost-of-living pressures. Questioned Robbie Moore on the £280 tax burden for basic rate taxpayers due to threshold freeze.
Anna Turley
Lab
Redcar
Responded on behalf of the Labour Government, emphasizing their commitment to delivering change since taking office. Criticised the previous Conservative government's record and highlighted ongoing challenges. Defended government policies, citing benefits for children and families in Redcar.
West Dunbartonshire
Questions the hon. Member about looking into a Government tracker for findings on Labour pledges and suggests that the petition is not representative of broader public opinion.
Al Pinkerton
LD
Surrey Heath
Asked Lisa Smart how the Government could deliver meaningful growth for constituents who are feeling worse off than they did yesterday.
Edinburgh South West
Clarified that his previous comments were about the economic frustration felt by people being harvested without solutions, apologizing for any misinterpretation.
Arthur
Con
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Inquires about income from the X platform, to which Lee Anderson responded that he makes approximately £400 a month and pays 45% tax on it. Asked about what Conservative Government did over the last 14 years in relation to the rape gang inquiry.
Central Ayrshire
Noted that schools are teaching children about political issues, including LGBT rights and employment rights for women.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
The hon. Member for Edinburgh South West advocated for proportional representation across all electoral systems, suggesting it would change the political culture both in the country and in this place. Discussed challenges related to borrowing and bond rates due to the previous Government's calamitous Budget and supported the idea of a recall petition for MPs.
Epsom and Ewell
Noted that over 1,500 constituents signed the petition and expressed frustration about not feeling better off despite working hard. Proposed a bespoke customs union with Europe to boost the economy.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Welcomed the debate and discussed progress in Dartford, including NHS provision improvements and infrastructure projects such as the lower Thames crossing.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Asked Amanda Martin to acknowledge the rise of youth unemployment in her constituency. Criticized the increase in unemployment rates among young people in Dartford as a result of Government decisions. Asked if Dr Arthur was part of a plot among Scottish Labour MPs to bring down the Prime Minister based on press speculation. Accused the government of breaking promises and betraying constituents.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
Mr Newbury acknowledged constituents' right to voice their frustrations but argued that calling for a general election is not how our democracy works. He emphasized the importance of e-petition debates and his commitment to representing constituent concerns. Discussed Government achievements in NHS funding and improvements, pension justice for retired mineworkers, transport reforms, education initiatives, housing for veterans and domestic abuse survivors, and upcoming measures like more police on streets and reduced energy bills. Asked Lisa Smart how many 'steaming piles of rubbish' her party lays at their own door regarding the austerity programme initiated in 2010.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
The hon. Member questions the Labour party's commitment to reducing waste and cutting taxes, suggesting that it set unreasonable expectations during the May elections. Thanked his colleague for raising the issue and noted that with over a million signatories, including from his own constituency, this is one of the most significant petitions in history.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Critiques the Labour party and expresses that many people regret voting for them, stating they will not forgive their actions over the past year. Asked Dr Arthur about the division in politics and provided an example from his constituency school. Asked if it is fair that Reform UK got 4.1 million votes but only five MPs while the Liberal Democrats received 3.6 to 3.7 million votes and got 72 MPs. Asked if the Opposition parties should use all levers to kill the Chagos deal Bill, agreeing that it was a terrible decision involving tens of billions of taxpayers' money.
Lillian Jones
Lab
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Argued that raising employer national insurance contributions was necessary to fund public services such as breakfast clubs for children in poverty, despite the MP's concerns about increased costs on schools. Highlighted Labour's achievements such as lifting 95,000 Scottish children out of poverty and raising the minimum wage for over 200,000 Scots.
Lisa Smart
LD
East Dunbartonshire
Described widespread dissatisfaction due to long waiting times for doctors' appointments, high costs of living, delayed social care reforms, and inadequate funding for hospitals like Stepping Hill. Advocated for a proportional representation electoral system and criticized the current political climate, warning of the dangers of divisive forces gaining power.
Luke Murphy
Lab
Basingstoke
Suggested that changes in Prime Ministership over time could be a reason for calling another election, but Dame Harriett Baldwin disagreed, pointing out the dramatic change in tax policies post-election as an example.
Mark Francois
Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
Points out that Essex leads in terms of petition signatures, questioning whether this is related to Labour's attempt to cancel local elections in the region.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton West
Critiqued Labour's policies, mentioning broken promises on agriculture protection, business rates, winter fuel allowance cuts, and tax increases. Asked about the number of people put out of work in Dartford due to Government actions.
Charters
Con
Wellingborough
Asked the MP about the comparison between betrayals in politics and highlighted his stance on supporting Ukrainian people against Nathan Gill's actions.
Olly Glover
LD
Didcot and Wantage
Acknowledged constituents' concerns but argued against holding an early general election, citing potential chaos and instability in governance if such a system were implemented.
Patrick Hurley
Lab
Walsall North
Claims that the petition represents an immature demand for immediate gratification and does not reflect a true democratic urgency. Questions if those who signed the petition understand the workings of democracy. Challenged the notion of an early election as a solution to governance issues. Emphasised the disruptive nature of frequent elections on legislative processes and national stability. Asks if the hon. Member will support cracking down hard on Elon Musk’s X platform.
Peter Prinsley
Lab
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Asked Dame Harriett Baldwin whether the number of people calling for an election has fallen by two thirds since last year. The hon. Member speaks positively about the NHS, stating that now is not the right time for an election as there is still much to do. He praises the Chancellor of the Exchequer's letter on rates revaluation and the Prime Minister’s policies on inheritance tax.
Robbie Moore
Con
Haltemprice and Howden
Highlights how constituents in Keighley have experienced a 14.99% rise in council tax under Labour, questioning the Prime Minister’s pledge not to raise it. Questioned whether it is right for basic rate income tax payers to fund items not included in the Labour manifesto, such as digital ID roll-out and the Chagos deal. Asked why the Labour Government is increasing basic rate taxpayer tax by £220 and raising council tax.
Steve Yemm
Lab
Mansfield
Agreed with the hon. Member that calling a general election undermines representative democracy, highlighting communities seeking long-term political change.
Stuart Anderson
Con
South Shropshire
Agrees that Labour has betrayed the British people by failing to deliver on promises such as not raising taxes. Constituents in South Shropshire have signed the petition because they believe the Government has failed them.
Government Response
Anna Turley
The Minister without Portfolio
Government Response
Stated that the number of petition signatures is down by two-thirds compared to last year, reflecting a decline in public demand for an election. Emphasised Labour's commitment to delivering change and criticised the previous government's record.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.