The British public can post petitions directly on Prime Minister Tony Blair‘s official Web site thanks to a program established three months ago. More than 4,000 petitions have been posted, drawing 3 million e-mailed protest signatures.
The petitions have ranged from objections to new taxes on drivers (1.8 million signed) to a request that Blair, who is leaving office this summer, juggle ice cream while performing a headstand (3,700 signatures).
About 50 of the petitions pertain to soccer. Here’s a sampling:
* Expel Scotland from The Union for failing to support England in the World Cup (14 signatures).
* Give Alan Shearer a knighthood (9 signatures).
* Bring back the right to stand (terracing) at Premiership stadiums (52 signatures).
* Pressure soccer clubs to lower their ticket prices (121 signatures).
* Extend the London subway to Tottenham Hotspur FC (4,729 signatures).
* Have Blair use his remaining days and power to force the FA to sack Steve McClaren from his post as England manager (10 signatures).