General election 2019 timetable – all you need to know in the run up to December 12
THE 2019 General Election is approaching, so here's everything you need to know in the run up to December 12.
It's the second time in two years that Brits will be heading to the ballot boxes after MPs approved Boris Johnson's call for a general election.
Why did Boris Johnson call an election?
The Prime Minister had vowed to push for an election if the EU granted a three-month extension for his Brexit bill.
Mr Johnson sent a letter to the EU requesting a delay until January 31 after he was compelled to do so when the Benn Act was passed MPs on October 19.
On October 28, the EU granted the UK's request for a "flextension" until January 31, 2020.
The UK can leave before that date if Mr Johnson's deal is passed in Parliament.
Parliament will shut down from November 6.
When this happens every seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant with those wishing to remain as MPs having to stand in the forthcoming election.
You can also follow our live blog below for all the latest General Election 2019 news and Brexit updates....
November 14
'LEAVE ALLIANCE' ULTIMATIUM
Nigel Farage pledged to get “right behind” the PM but only if he ditched his "appalling" Brexit deal.
The Brexiteer leader launched his Brexit Party’s General Election campaign, giving Boris until November 14 when nominations close to agree to stand down Tory candidates in up to 150 Labour seats to give Mr Farage’s own wannabe MPs a clear run.
The Brexit Party leader also insisted Mr Johnson must dump his new exit deal with the EU, dubbing it “not Brexit”.
He then gave Mr Johnson two weeks to join his "Leave Alliance" or face 500 Brexit Party candidates in a battle for voters.
The former UKIP leader insisted he would put up candidates against the Tories in more than 500 constituencies all across the country if Boris refused.
However, the plan backfired as his allies turned on him and Boris rejected the Brexit Party electoral pact.
November 19
HEAD-TO-HEAD TV DEBATE
The first TV debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn has been set for November 19.
They will face off in a likely fierce debate covered by ITV, as they bid to come out victorious in December's general election.
The two party bosses will be grilled on Brexit, crime and the NHS in a live clash on ITV, telly bosses revealed.
November 26
LAST DAY TO REGISTER VOTE
You need to register at least 12 working days before the election - which falls on November 26.
Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or older on polling day can vote.
You have to be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland.
You can register to vote at any time if you are 17, and if you are in Scotland you can register at age 15.
You can register to vote online
You will need to know your National Insurance number, date of birth and address.
The process will take about five to 10 minutes.
It is also possible to register by post by fill in , but if you live in Northern Ireland is used.
December 12
GENERAL ELECTION
The election was called in the hope Boris can restore the ruling Conservative Party's majority in order to get his deal through.
It was Mr Johnson's fourth attempt to have Parliament agree to have an election after the Labour Party finally blocked the vote three times.
The latest poll from Opinium puts the Tories 16 points clear of Labour - setting them on course for a healthy majority with 40 per cent of the vote compared to 24 per cent.
Mr Johnson is likely to argue that since one of his signature policies has not come to fruition that he must have an election.
But now Brexit has been officially delayed the Tories could lose a huge chunk of their support - as voters may feel Boris has betrayed them by not taking us out of the EU as he promised.
The Brexit Party and Liberal Democrats will do better out of an election now than if one was held after Brexit had been done and dusted.
