Critics seize No 10's petitions website to slate Government

There was a time when concerned or campaigning Britons with a point to make to government normally had only one way of making sure their views reached those who mattered - a long walk along Downing Street to that big black door to hand in their earnestly gathered petition. Either that, or trust the postman and wait for polling day.

But now, a very different means of lobbying has been created. Since its launch just over three months ago, No 10's e-petition website has racked up more than 3,700 petitions on subjects ranging from health service cutbacks to the 2,874 people who want Spandau Ballets's "Gold" to be the new national anthem.

In the past the Government was never obliged to disclose details of all the petitions it received. But what began as a worthy exercise in openness has become something with the ability to cause some serious embarrassment. An increasing number of petitions are calling for action to be taken against Tony Blair over Iraq, and then there is the "just go now" petition submitted by the political blogger Guido Fawkes, although the latter was rejected by Downing Street.

Over the weekend, ministers were being forced to defend plans for the introduction of road pricing schemes after a petition calling for the idea to be scrapped topped the one million signature mark on Friday evening.

By yesterday afternoon, the figure stood at 1,091,100, and the Association of British Drivers predicted the number of signatures could reach three million. It claimed the petition represented only a small proportion of the motorists opposed to road-charging.

Douglas Alexander, the Transport Secretary, stood by the plans for the trials, but stressed that the scale of the response showed the need for more debate.

The road-pricing petition is far and away the most popular on the site. Scrapping inheritance tax had 46,000 signatures and repealing the Hunting Act has been backed by 23,000.

The e-petition service was set up last November in conjunction with mySociety, the charity that already runs non-partisan websites such as HearFromYourMP.com and TheyWorkForYou.com.

Currently, there are more that 2,800 active petitions, which can run up to a year, 290 which have closed and more than 600 which have been rejected. Closed petitions are usually accompanied by a link to Government response to the issue, while everyone who signs receives a personal email also explaining the outcome. Rejected petitions are listed along with the reasons.

The petitions graphically illustrate the vast range of concerns troubling British citizens. The more serious matters include ending human trafficking and stopping George Bush from "attacking and killing millions of people in Iran".

Downing Street remained sanguine last night about the popularity of its e-petitions. A spokesman said: "E-petitions are an important innovation. They allow members of the public to express views directly to Downing Street and in turn enable Downing Street to more easily communicate with petitioners."

However, not everyone sees it that way. There is now a petition that calls for an end to petitions. It has been backed by seven people. To add your name, go to www.petitions.pm.gov.uk

Rejected petitions

* We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to face an international court and be tried for crimes against humanity in Iraq. Submitted by Dominic Parker-Brown

Reason: Contained names of individuals, or information that may identified them, in relation to criminal accusations.

* We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to just go now. Submitted by Guido Fawkes of The Gunpowder Plotters

Reason: Contained party political material and relates to an ongoing criminal investigation.

* We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to sing "We're Going To Hang Out The Washing On The Siegfried Line" through a megaphone while standing in a barrel of custard outside Parliament. Submitted by Tez Burke of Gun-totin' Badgers for Jesus

Reason: It was outside the remit of Government.

* We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to not allow Gordon Brown to stand as Prime Minister. Submitted by Peter Donohoe

Reason: Contained party political material

* We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to change the national anthem to "You Suffer" by Napalm Death. Submitted by Mike Smith

Reason: It contained language which is offensive.

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