Since 1902, there have been more unelected* UK prime ministers than elected, including John Major, Gordon Brown, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and now Liz Truss. Far from being unusual, it’s actually the norm for prime ministers to enter office outside of a general election (1).

When a prime minister steps aside there will inevitably be many changes – a change of policy, priority, ideology – which should be put back to the public. A prime minister should represent the people – at least the majority.

Liz Truss was chosen by a vote among Conservative party members, who make up less than 1% of the UK population (2).

These are the rules. But the rules are unfair, undemocratic, and should be changed.

If you're one of the 99% who didn't have a say in who our current prime minister is (or the one before that, or the one before that), then you're probably feeling fed up, perhaps even angry. Liz Truss was the fourth prime minister since 2016. How many more unelected leaders must we endure?

If the next leader of the Conservative Party chooses not to call an early election, the next one will have to be held by January 2025 (3). That's two more years of a leader who wasn't chosen by the vast majority of people in this country. 

Sign this petition if you agree that a general election must be called within 50 days of a change of prime minister, following the resignation of their predecessor.

Sources:

1. https://fullfact.org/news/unelected-prime-ministers-common-or-not/
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62068930
3. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/06/who-is-liz-truss-and-why-did-the-uk-not-hold-a-general-election

* not elected by general election.