Keir Starmer has dismissed a petition demanding another general election as the number of people signing it passed the two million mark. The prime minister said he was “not surprised” that his popularity has nosedived because of many of the decisions Labour has taken since winning power nearly five months ago.

The petition on the Parliament website, written by a pub owner and complaining that Keir Starmer has 'gone back on promises', is gaining over 100,000 backers an hour.

A petition demanding a general election has smashed through the 500,000 barrier, as thousands sign it every minute. The 'call a general election' petition was started four days ago, but began picking up enormous traction last night as the link began spreading on social media.

Keir Starmer has until 2029 at the latest to call the election, and most observers believe he is unlikely to do so until summer 2028 at the earliest. Given Labour’s huge 170-seat Commons majority, the chances of the government losing a vote of confidence - another way in which an election can be triggered - are virtually nil.