Labour minister says she understands public's 'frustrations' with politics as petition hits 2.5 million signatures

General Election petition: Labour minister says she understand Britons 'frustrations' with politics

GB News
Gabrielle Wilde

By Gabrielle Wilde


Published: 26/11/2024

- 13:09

A petition on Parliament’s website calling for another election has now been signed by more than 2.5 million people

Employment Minister Alison McGovern acknowledged "public frustration" with politics on GB News this morning, as a petition calling for another General Election surpassed 2.5 million signatures.

She explained: "We've had a chaotic amount of elections, and I think what people want from politics and from government is for them to do things that are actually going to help them.


"I know [some] people didn't vote for us, and they didn't want the outcome that happened in the election. So it doesn't surprise me that they would take the opportunity to point that out.

"The thing that I would say is, I do not blame anyone in this country for being frustrated at what has happened in politics in recent years.

Employment Minister Alison McGovern speaks to GB News

Alison McGovern said that she understands "people's frustration"

GB News

"I don't think politics has delivered for the country. It's a challenge for us now to make real changes that people can see so they experience a better quality of life. And that is the challenge that I relish."

The petition, created just one day after the Budget, has gathered significant momentum.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

It accuses the Labour government of going back on their election promises made before their victory in July.

Labour has faced criticism for its recent policies, including the axing of the Winter Fuel Payment and a new inheritance tax for farmers.

The party has also faced scrutiny over plans to slash £137billion spent on welfare to "get Britain working."

McGovern said: "What we were faced with in taking up office was a horrific legacy from the Conservative Party, where they had made promises willy nilly that they had no idea how they were going to fund.

Rachel Reeves Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Budget in October PA

"Rachel had two choices at that point. She could either continue with that madness or take the tough choices to bring the public finances back under control and into balance. And she chose the latter.

"I've worked with businesses on producing the proposals we're announcing today to change job health, and I know that they need much more support from the government in making job centres work for them.

"I am not immune, and nor do I ignore the very tough situation that the country is in, and I know every business in the country is wrestling with that and having to deal with it.

Employment Minister Alison McGovern speaks to GB News

McGovern defended the choices that Labour has made

GB News

"I would simply say again, Rachel had two choices on taking off office.

"She could either go down the same path as the Tories year after year, making promise after promise that you can never fund, or you can get a proper budget in balance, knowing that you can fund your promises and grow the economy from there.

"She chose the tough choice of the latter. And that way, through better job centres that really serve them properly, help them find the employees that they need to grow."

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