This is interesting. Here in the US, elected officials give no weight to Internet petitions because the signatures are too easy to fake. They also have no legal status as yet, so signing one means nothing except one has a little extra time on one's hands.
Is that how it is in the UK? I don't know. Over here, if someone signs a petition which refers to a legal area (like a Congressional district or state) but who has no interest in the indicated legal area (signer doesn't live in the district or state), the signature is invalid and doesn't count. For example, when I lived in Ohio I couldn't sign a petition which affected only people in Michigan. (Never mind that I was only thirteen.)
Oh, and since I don't live in the UK I am neither for or against David Tennant lighting the torch for Britain in 2012. I think it would be neat, though. I think I'd watch that - as long as he wears that silly "Happy Doctor" wide grin along with the suit and shoes.
