To: His Majesty’s Government From: The People of the United Kingdom

Summary
We, the undersigned citizens of the United Kingdom, formally demand the immediate calling of a general election. The current government has failed to uphold its promises, mismanaged critical national systems, and lost the confidence of the public. We believe the country is in urgent need of new leadership to restore integrity, functionality, and fairness across all sectors of society.

 
Why We’ve Lost Confidence

1. Illegal Immigration Is Out of Control
In the year ending March 2025, 44,125 irregular arrivals were detected—an increase of 14% from the previous year.
86% of these arrived via small boats, which remain the most visible and persistent method of illegal entry.
Between 2020 and September 2024, authorities recorded around 175,000 unauthorised arrivals.
The asylum backlog continues to grow, with over 109,000 people still awaiting initial decisions.

2. The NHS Is Broken
NHS England’s 2025/26 framework admits widespread performance issues, with urgent care, cancer treatment, and mental health services under severe strain.
Wait times remain excessive, and regional disparities in care quality persist.
Staff shortages and burnout continue to plague the system, despite restructuring efforts.

3. The Benefits System Is Corrupt and Punitive
In 2025, £9.5 billion (3.3%) of benefits were overpaid due to fraud and error.
Amnesty International reports systemic cruelty, with 16 million people living in poverty, including 5.2 million children.
Over £22 billion in benefits go unclaimed annually, disproportionately affecting the vulnerable.

4. Veterans Are Abandoned
Despite the launch of the £50 million VALOUR initiative, only 854 veterans were supported into housing out of nearly 3,000 referrals.
Mental health services like Operation COURAGE received 35,000 referrals, highlighting the scale of unmet need.
Many veterans still face a “postcode lottery” for support, with fragmented services and limited access.

5. Taxation Is Crushing the Working Class
The UK’s tax burden is forecast to reach 37.7% of GDP by 2027–28, the highest in modern British history and above the OECD average.
VAT rates are among the highest in Europe, and National Insurance thresholds have been lowered, increasing costs for both workers and employers.
The UK raises one of the highest percentages of GDP from property and wealth taxes globally.
Despite these figures, public services remain underfunded, and the cost-of-living crisis continues to deepen.

6. Elderly Citizens Are Disrespected and Undervalued
Nearly 2 million pensioners—around 16%—live in poverty, with 2.8 million below the Minimum Income Standard required for a dignified life.
One in five pensioners aged 85 and over live in poverty, and 8% of pensioners in England experience material deprivation.
These are the very people who built this nation—through war, industry, and public service. They deserve dignity, not neglect.

7. Labour’s Broken Election Promises
Labour pledged not to raise taxes. Yet in October 2024, the government unveiled the largest Budget tax hike in history—£40 billion—leaving the average household £770 poorer.
Promises to compensate WASPI women, protect winter fuel payments, and support farmers have all been abandoned.
Keir Starmer reversed pledges on private school tax status and failed to deliver meaningful reforms for small businesses.

8. Business Closures and Over-Taxation Are Driving Recession
Over 83,000 businesses were removed from the UK’s register in Q1 2025 alone.
A record 17,349 high street shops are expected to close in 2025, with 85% of closures coming from independent businesses.
Employers’ National Insurance rose from 13.8% to 15%, with the threshold slashed from £9,100 to £5,000—crippling payroll budgets.
Business rates relief was cut from 75% to 40%, and Capital Gains Tax rates increased to 24%.
Investment is collapsing: only 20% of firms increased investment in Q1 2025, while 24% scaled back.
The Bank of England warns of a 40% chance the UK is already in a technical recession.

9. Boundary Changes and Voting Age Reduction Undermine Democracy
The 2023 boundary review redrew constituency lines in ways that disproportionately benefit Conservative strongholds, increasing their seat advantage even with equal vote shares.
England gained 10 seats, while Wales lost 8 and Scotland lost 2—shifting power away from historically Labour regions.
The voting age has been lowered to 16, a move critics argue is politically motivated to capture younger, more idealistic voters.
These changes risk skewing future elections and entrenching power rather than expanding democratic fairness.

10. Crime Is Surging and Streets Are Becoming Lawless
Street crime rose by 44% across the UK in 2025, with record levels of shop theft and over 1 million incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Violent crime in London has increased by 30% over the past nine years.
One mobile phone is stolen every six minutes in the capital, and two-fifths of all phone thefts in Europe now occur in the UK.

Balaclava-wearing criminals are increasingly seen in urban areas, using anonymity to evade justice and intimidate communities.
Motorcycle theft is rampant: approximately 40,000 bikes are stolen every year, with £3 million worth of motorcycles stolen monthly from UK streets.
Motorcyclists are 11 times more likely to be targeted than car owners, and 80% of stolen bikes are taken from outside people’s homes.

Cities like Bristol, East Yorkshire, and Herefordshire have the highest theft rates per capita, and in some areas, thefts have surged by 700% month-on-month, indicating gang activity.
The streets are no longer safe, and the government has failed to respond with adequate policing, deterrents, or justice.

11. We Demand Proportional Representation
Under the current First Past the Post system, parties can win large majorities with a minority of the vote. In 2024, Labour won a landslide with just 33.7% of the vote—backed by only 17.3% of the total electorate.
Proportional Representation (PR) would ensure that seats in Parliament reflect the actual share of votes received, giving smaller parties a fair chance and restoring public trust.
Most developed democracies use PR systems, including Germany, New Zealand, and the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales.
The UK’s outdated system distorts democracy, discourages participation, and fuels political disillusionment.
 
Our Demands
We call on Parliament to:

Dissolve the current government and call a general election immediately.
Establish an independent commission to audit government performance and public trust.
Restore democratic accountability by allowing the people to choose new leadership.
Implement Proportional Representation to ensure every vote counts and democracy is no longer distorted by outdated systems.
 
Sign This Petition
If you believe the UK deserves better, add your name. Let’s show that the people will not stand by while our country is mismanaged and our future compromised.