OPINION - The Standard View: There is no number of signatures on a petition that can force an early general election

There is a rich history to petitioning parliament. The rights of petitioners and the power of the House to deal with petitions dates back to the 17th century. Initially, the Commons placed few restrictions on debates relating to public petitions, which were used as a method to bring in subjects from the outside. Indeed, mass petitions played a major role in various campaigns, including that for women’s suffrage.