Petition calling for 'immediate general election' reaches more than half a million signatures

That means it will be considered for debate by Parliament because "Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for a debate."

At the time of writing - around lunchtime on Thursday 6th October - the petition on the UK Government and Parliament website had 558,020 signatures.

The petition's creator added: "Call an immediate general election so that the people can decide who should lead us through the unprecedented crises threatening the UK."

The longer description of the petition reads: "The chaos engulfing the UK government is unprecedented.

"Over 40 ministers resigned leaving departments without leadership during cost of living, energy and climate crises.

"War rages in Ukraine; the Northern Ireland Protocol has further damaged our relationship with Europe; recession looms; the UK itself may cease to exist as Scotland seeks independence," he continued.

"This is the greatest set of challenges we have seen in our lifetimes.

"Let the people decide who leads us through this turmoil."

The Government responded with a statement on September 20, saying: "The United Kingdom is a Parliamentary democracy, not a Presidential one.

"Following the general election of December 2019, Members of Parliament of the governing party (the Conservative Party) were elected, such that there is a majority in the House of Commons.

"This remains the case - A change in the leader of the governing party does not trigger a general election – this has been the case under governments of successive political colours," the statement continued.

"The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 provides that Parliament is automatically dissolved five years after it first meets (unless it is dissolved sooner), otherwise the timing is a matter of discretion for the incumbent Prime Minister (subject to re-established constitutional conventions).

"In her speech of 6 September 2022, the new Prime Minister set out three early priorities: to grow Britain’s economy, deal with the energy crisis caused by Putin’s war, and putting the national health service on a firm footing.

"The Prime Minister is determined to address the challenges the country faces and ensure opportunity and prosperity for all people and future generations."

The petition will close on January 28 2023. It can be found here: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/619781