House of Lords sets Britain on course for December 12 General Election

30 October 2019, 19:32

MPS reads out the result of the vote as legislation for an early general election on December 12 has cleared the House of Commons
MPS reads out the result of the vote as legislation for an early general election on December 12 has cleared the House of Commons. Picture: PA

By Sylvia DeLuca

The UK is set to go to the polls in just 43 days time after the House of Lords formally approved the general election legislation.

Legislation for an early general election on December 12 has cleared the Lords without amendment and will now go forward for Royal Assent to become law.

Political parties are readying themselves for a general election campaign after Prime Minister Boris Johnson secured the votes needed in the Commons for a poll on December 12.

His motion secured an overwhelming majority, with 483 MPs voting in favour of the election, and just 20 voting against.

Electoral authorities have set a deadline of the end of Tuesday 26 November for people to register to vote.

The cut-off point to apply for postal votes is the same day, but at 17:00 GMT.