ON Saturday, October 29, 70 people in Crediton signed a petition calling for a general election, some sharing frustrations that voters had been denied another chance to decide who runs Britain.

The petition was organised by the Central Devon Labour Party, with local party members asking residents on Crediton High Street their views on pressing issues locally and nationally.

These included the high and increasing price of food and energy, the lack of affordable housing, the sky-rocketing cost of mortgages, and the feeling that the government was not taking environmental issues seriously.

Residents shared these concerns on a flip chart in the High Street, on which they were invited to write their thoughts.

Issues raised included the decision by King Charles to not attend COP27, the UN climate crisis conference, others saying it was difficult to see local MP Mel Stride at one of his local surgeries.

Laurie Laybourn, vice chair of Central Devon Labour Party, said: “We’re facing an incredibly tough winter, after a painful few years for Devon.

“Our conversations with local residents confirm what we’re all feeling: years of government underinvestment means we’re more exposed to the current crisis of energy and food costs than we should be.

“The Conservative’s mini budget made this much worse, a mistake we’re all paying for. The people we spoke to were clear: it’s time for a general election so we can all get our say on this chaotic and incompetent government.”