Politics

General election confirmed for December 12 – what happens now?


Boris Johnson took one step closer to a pre-Christmas general election after MPs backed his demands to go to the country in an attempt to end the Brexit deadlock.

The Commons voted by 438 to 20 at third reading to approve the one-page Bill enabling the election to be held on December 12.

Earlier, MPs voted by 315 to 295 to reject a Labour amendment for the proposed polling day to be moved to December 9 – three days earlier than ministers wanted.

The vote effectively clears the way for Parliament to be dissolved on November 6, paving the way for an election on December 12.

But what happens now.

Boris Johnson said his Brexit deal will not return to this Parliament

 

What happens now in Parliament?

MPs have backed the bill, but the House of Lords need to debate it before it can become law.

It will be presented to the Lords tonight ahead of scrutiny beginning tomorrow morning.

If Peers make any changes, it will move back and forth between the Lord and Commons on Thursday, until it is finally approved.

It is expected to be given Royal Assent by the Queen on Thursday.

MPs will also debate a bill to continue funding Northern Ireland’s public services, and the findings of the report into the Grenfell Fire.

Will Boris Johnson try and bring back his Withdrawal Agreement Bill?

Jacob Rees-Mogg has said the government will not reintroduce the bill.

Meaning the final judgement on Mr Johnson’s bill will be made by the next Parliament.

MPs backed the motion – now the Lords can scrutinise it

 

When will Parliament be dissolved?

Parliament is due to be dissolved at a minute past midnight next Wednesday – November 6th – firing the starting gun on five-and-a-half weeks of intense campaigning.

When does the campaign begin?

Parliament will break up on Wednesday November 6.

This is when what’s called the “short campaign” begins.

There are strict spending restrictions for political parties during that time.

But from now everything the main parties say will have the election in mind.

Will there be a TV leaders’ debate?

We don’t know yet.

Broadcasters have always been keen on TV head-to-heads, but Conservative politicians – especially Boris Johnson – less so.


 

When is the deadline to register to vote?

If an election is on Thursday 12 December, the deadline to register to vote is likely to be at midnight on Monday 25 November.

The deadline for new postal vote applications, or changes to existing postal votes, is likely to be 5pm on Tuesday 26 November.

The deadline for receiving new proxy vote applications (not by post) will be 5pm on Friday 6 December.

The deadline for applying for an emergency proxy vote – if you are suddenly ill for example – is 5pm on polling day.

Who needs to register?

If you have never voted, have moved constituency or have turned 18 recently then you will need to register if you have not done so already.

You can even get yourself on the register if you are 16 or 17 but you will need to have turned 18 before the election date to actually be eligible to vote.

Ballot boxes

 

Who is eligible to vote?

All those who are 18 or over on the day of the election and are a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Eligible voters must be resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years).

Prisoners are not allowed to vote.

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General election 2019

What if I am away on election day?

If you cannot vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf, via a proxy vote.

That person must be aged over 18 and be registered to vote.

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you cannot get to the polling station in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on the day of the election.





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