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Political parties will resume their General Election campaigning following a pause in the wake of the London Bridge terror attack.
Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems cancelled plans after two people were killed during by a terrorist during a knife rampage on November 29.
Both Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson will announce new policies on Monday as Britain braces for the first winter election in nearly a century, while the Liberal Democrats have pledged to invest billions into transforming mental health services.
Brits head to the polls in just a few days’ time in what is being dubbed the “Brexit election” as Mr Johnson’s Conservatives hope to secure a ruling majority to break the Brexit logjam.
So with the December 12 General Election looming ever closer, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the polls opening.
When is the next general election?
The next general election will take place on December 12, with voting taking place between 7am and 10pm.
The election could not have happened any earlier than this because law dictates that Parliament must dissolve 25 working days before a general election.
After it is dissolved, MPs lose their status and must campaign for re-election, if they decide to stand again.
Why are we having an early election?
The next general election was not due until June 2022 under the terms of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA) 2011, which ensures the automatic dissolution of Parliament every five years.
However, a short bill tabled by Mr Johnson bypassed FTPA provisions to allow for a much earlier election date.
The PM had been vying for a trip to the polls for months because he wanted to strengthen his hand in the House of Commons by restoring the Conservative Party’s ruling majority.
Despite failing three times previously to secure a snap election under FTPA rules, Mr Johnson’s calls were finally heeded in the Commons in October.
Opposition parties have their own motives for backing a fresh poll: Labour says it wants to “put an end to the shambolic mess the Tories have made”, while the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party are seizing on the opportunity to try and stop Brexit in its tracks and expand their respective parties’ national standing.
What are the key dates between now and the general election?
- December 4: Deadline for applications by proxy.
- December 12: General election – polls open at 7am and close at 10pm.
Who are the candidates in my constituency?
A list of the candidates who are standing – or ‘Statement of Persons Nominated’ – will be posted on your local authority website and on notice boards in your area after the deadline for nominations has passed.
The deadline for nominations was Friday, November 15. There are 650 constituencies across the UK.
You can find official election information for your area via the Electoral Commission website by typing in your postcode via this link: Electoral Commission: Your election information.
During the 2017 campaign, additional information about candidates in each constituency was collected online on the independent website ‘Who Can I Vote For?‘.
Can I vote for a new prime minister?
You can only vote to elect your local MP in a general election – you cannot specifically vote for a new prime minister.
If you live in Mr Johnson’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency, you would vote or not vote for him simply in regard to him being your local MP.
This is the same if you live in the constituency of another political party leader.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson – In pictures
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Boris Johnson waves as he enters No10
Reuters
2/32
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson
PA
3/32
New Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s girlfriend Carrie Symonds outside No10
Getty Images
4/32
REUTERS
5/32
Britain’s New Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed into 10 Downing Street by staff
AP
6/32
Boris Johnson delivered his first speech as PM from outside No10 today
AFP/Getty Images
7/32
Boris Johnson’s girlfriend Carrie Symonds at No10 today as he assumes the post of Prime Minister
Getty Images
8/32
Mr Johnson walks along Downing Street to address the nation
Reuters
9/32
Boris Johnson arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen
PA
10/32
Mr Johnson was overwhelmingly backed to lead the Conservative Party
PA
11/32
Britain’s New Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed into 10 Downing Street by staff
AP
12/32
Boris vowed to serve the people as he took office
AP
13/32
Britain’s New Prime Minister Boris Johnson enters No10
AP
14/32
He is due to announce who will form his government later today
AP
15/32
Boris Johnson waves to the crowd after being appointed Prime Minister
Jeremy Selwyn
16/32
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson during an audience in Buckingham Palace
PA
17/32
Boris Johnson waves as he leaves Buckingham Palace
PA
18/32
Boris Johnson is driven into Buckingham Palace
Reuters
19/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks with ambulance crews during a visit to Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, northeast England
AFP/Getty Images
20/32
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan (L) at 10 Downing Street
EPA
21/32
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and HMP Leeds governor Steve Robson are shown a torso and body scanner by a member of prison staff during a visit to Leeds prison
Getty Images
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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks next to Youth Justice Board Adviser Roy Sefa-Attakora during a roundtable on the criminal justice system
Reuters
23/32
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a joint press conference following Johnson’s arrival at the Chancellery on August 21, 2019 in Berlin, Germany
Getty Images
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (C) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) attend a guard of honor upon Johnson’s arrival at the Chancellery on August 21, 2019 in Berlin, Germany
Getty Images
25/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes questions from school children at Downing Street
Jeremy Selwyn
26/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a roundtable at Downing Street in London, Britain, September 19
Reuters
27/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson adresses Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during their meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain September 20
Reuters
28/32
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks from 10 Downing Street to welcome the Emir of Qatar
Getty Images
29/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at the House of Commons
Reuters
30/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London
PA
31/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he leaves his official residence in London’s Downing Street ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Electio
Getty Images
32/32
The Queen’s Equerry, Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah (right), watches as Boris Johnson leaves Buckingham Palace
PA
1/32
Boris Johnson waves as he enters No10
Reuters
2/32
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson
PA
3/32
New Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s girlfriend Carrie Symonds outside No10
Getty Images
4/32
REUTERS
5/32
Britain’s New Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed into 10 Downing Street by staff
AP
6/32
Boris Johnson delivered his first speech as PM from outside No10 today
AFP/Getty Images
7/32
Boris Johnson’s girlfriend Carrie Symonds at No10 today as he assumes the post of Prime Minister
Getty Images
8/32
Mr Johnson walks along Downing Street to address the nation
Reuters
9/32
Boris Johnson arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen
PA
10/32
Mr Johnson was overwhelmingly backed to lead the Conservative Party
PA
11/32
Britain’s New Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed into 10 Downing Street by staff
AP
12/32
Boris vowed to serve the people as he took office
AP
13/32
Britain’s New Prime Minister Boris Johnson enters No10
AP
14/32
He is due to announce who will form his government later today
AP
15/32
Boris Johnson waves to the crowd after being appointed Prime Minister
Jeremy Selwyn
16/32
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson during an audience in Buckingham Palace
PA
17/32
Boris Johnson waves as he leaves Buckingham Palace
PA
18/32
Boris Johnson is driven into Buckingham Palace
Reuters
19/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks with ambulance crews during a visit to Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, northeast England
AFP/Getty Images
20/32
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan (L) at 10 Downing Street
EPA
21/32
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and HMP Leeds governor Steve Robson are shown a torso and body scanner by a member of prison staff during a visit to Leeds prison
Getty Images
22/32
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks next to Youth Justice Board Adviser Roy Sefa-Attakora during a roundtable on the criminal justice system
Reuters
23/32
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a joint press conference following Johnson’s arrival at the Chancellery on August 21, 2019 in Berlin, Germany
Getty Images
24/32
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (C) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) attend a guard of honor upon Johnson’s arrival at the Chancellery on August 21, 2019 in Berlin, Germany
Getty Images
25/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes questions from school children at Downing Street
Jeremy Selwyn
26/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a roundtable at Downing Street in London, Britain, September 19
Reuters
27/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson adresses Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during their meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain September 20
Reuters
28/32
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks from 10 Downing Street to welcome the Emir of Qatar
Getty Images
29/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at the House of Commons
Reuters
30/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London
PA
31/32
Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he leaves his official residence in London’s Downing Street ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Electio
Getty Images
32/32
The Queen’s Equerry, Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah (right), watches as Boris Johnson leaves Buckingham Palace
PA
When will the results of the election be announced?
It can take up to 24 hours for the results from all 650 constituencies to be declared, with the final total possibly coming as late as the evening of Friday, December 13.
Where can I find the results of the general election?
The Standard will report closely on the election results, and provide live coverage as the events unfurl.
Local authorities will also publish results for constituencies in their area.
The Electoral Commission will publish the national election results, as well as those for individual constituencies.
General Election debate schedules
The first head-to-head debate between Mr Johnson and Mr Corbyn was hosted by ITV on November 19, followed by BBC Question Time special on November 22 involving Mr Johnson, Mr Corbyn, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.
Then, on November 28, Mr Johnson and the Brexit Party’s Nigel Farage snubbed the Emergency On Planet Earth debate on Channel 4 News.
It was attended by Mr Corbyn, Ms Swinson, Ms Sturgeon, Plaid Cymru’s leader Adam Price and Green co-leader Sian Berry.
On Friday, November 29 the BBC hosted a seven-way debate at which neither Mr Johnson or Mr Corbyn attended, instead sending Rishi Sunak for the Conservatives and Richard Burgon for Labour.
ITV then hosted a debate on December 1 involving Mr Farage, Ms Sturgeon, Ms Swinson, Greens’ co-leader Sian Berry and Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price. Again, Mr Sunak and Mr Burgon deputised for their party’s leaders.
Another BBC debate is scheduled for December 6, another head-to-head between Mr Johnson and Mr Corbyn, and a 90-minute Question Time special for younger audiences will take place on the BBC on December 9.