The ever-satirical Ian Hislop didn’t miss the chance to take aim at Kemi Badenoch’s flip-flopping on petitions during a recent episode of Have I Got News For You. The quips came after over two million people signed a petition demanding a general election, which Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer promptly dismissed.
“We Govern by Elections, Not Petitions” – Except When We Don’t
Ian Hislop pointed out the irony of Badenoch’s past stance. “In 2019, Kemi Badenoch said, ‘We govern by elections, not petitions.’ But now, because two million people signed one, she’s saying we need an immediate election and Keir Starmer should resign.”
Stacey Dooley chimed in, “Didn’t the Brexit petition get six million signatures? How does that stack up?”
With his trademark wit, Hislop replied, “That would mean she’d have to remember that and apply it to today, which doesn’t seem likely.”
How Many Signatures Does It Take to Rerun an Election?
Victoria Coren Mitchell jumped into the fray, asking the million-pound question: “How many people need to sign before we rerun the election?”
Hislop didn’t hold back: “That’s not how it works. Signing a petition with a bunch of Russian bots isn’t the same as voting on a register.”
Keir Starmer Stands Firm
The petition, which calls for a new election because the Labour government has allegedly “gone back on promises” from its campaign, was quickly brushed off by Starmer during an appearance on This Morning. “That’s not how our system works,” he said bluntly.
“I’m not surprised many people want a re-run,” he added, acknowledging that many voters didn’t support Labour in the first place.
A Budget Backlash
The petition arrives amid mounting backlash against Labour’s recent budget. With controversial measures like national insurance hikes and extending inheritance tax to farms, the government’s efforts to plug the spending black hole haven’t exactly won over the public.
Famous Faces Join the Fray
The petition has gained traction online, with some big names lending their support. Billionaire and professional controversy generator Elon Musk has been vocal in his criticism of Starmer’s leadership, and even British acting legend Michael Caine has shared the petition.
Whether the petition achieves anything beyond sparking a few sharp-tongued remarks remains to be seen, but if Hislop’s commentary is anything to go by, it’s unlikely to change the political landscape anytime soon.
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