Sir Michael Caine, 91, wades into General Election petition row as he joins calls for action
Actor Sir Michael Caine, 91, has publicly shared his backing for a petition calling for a new General Election to take place – just months after Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.
Pub owner Michael Westwood created the online petition after accusing Starmer of having “gone back on his promises”, with leaving the form having already surpassed two million signatures.
All petitions which get at least 100,000 signatures must be considered for a parliamentary debate.
The petition reads: “I would like there to be another General Election. I believe the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election.”
Starmer and the Labour Party have come under fire for a series of measures introduced since its landslide victory on July 4.
This includes axing Winter Fuel Payments and putting forward a £40billion tax-hiking Budget.
The Batman and Interstellar actor backed the petition and posted a link to his X account, which he penned alongside it: “Call a General Election – Petitions.”
Fans of the actor were quick to comment underneath his post, with some lauding him with praise.
One penned: “Michael Caine backing the petition for a fresh election, you love to see it!”
Another agreed: “The ONLY celeb hero of my yoof that hasn’t turned into a great big massive, left-wing, woke f***y!!! Love you, Michael!”
“I knew there’s a reason I like you so much,” another expressed before a fourth said: “No Way the Legendary M. Caine just posted this??? Wow…”
Call a General Election – Petitions https://t.co/ZhVgi7uGLG
— Michael Caine (@themichaelcaine) November 25, 2024
However, not all were in agreement with Caine, as someone noted: “Another rich person upset he will have to pay his fair share of tax because the Tory boys aren’t in power anymore. Shame.”
Another annoyed user fumed: “P**s off Michael with the greatest respect, you championed Brexit and legged it from the mess left behind.”
Someone else added: “No fool like an old fool…another Brexiteer trying to undermine democracy.” (sic)
The petition and the dislike of Starmer also sparked a debate on ITV’s This Morning, where the Prime Minister was grilled by Cat Deeley and Andi Peters.
Many fans claimed their interview with the PM was a car crash after the PM outlined what he wanted to happen going forward – before discussing his Christmas dinner plans.
When asked if it was the five months he had expected, Starmer explained: “I took the decision that we’d make the hard decisions first.
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“You have to do the hard yards up front… we’re doing the tough stuff,” he added before insisting he was “really pleased we were able to put so much money into the National Health Service and education” following the controversial Budget.
“You can’t do both, you can’t say we want to fix the NHS and we won’t put up a single penny in tax… I’m not pretending to those that are impacted that things aren’t tough.”
One furious X user noted: “#ThisMorning the interview with Keir Starmer was weak, they should have gone further.
“Cat was all over him with that fake smile. Andy was good but should’ve addressed huge tax rises, Rachel Reeves lying CV and that she cannot be trusted.”
There was some support for the PM as one applauded: “#ThisMorning what an absolute scoop getting the PM onto the sofa for some real stuff. Well done! @Keir_Starmer.” (sic)