BRITS will be heading to the ballot boxes for the second in two years after MPs approved Boris Johnson’s call for a general election.
Here is everything you need to know before the UK goes to the polls.
When is the general election?
On October 29, MPs approved the PM’s call for an election to be held on December 12.
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.
Parliament will shut down from November 6.
Why did Boris Johnson call an election now?
The Prime Ministerhad vowed to push for an election if the EU granted a three-month extension for hisBrexitbill.
Mr Johnson sent a letter to the EUrequesting a delay until January 31 after he was compelled to do so whenthe Benn Act was passed MPs on October 19.
On October 28, the EU granted the UK’s requestfor a “flextension” until January 31, 2020.
The UK can leave before that date if Mr Johnson’s deal is passed in Parliament.
Mr Johnson said he wanted an electionin hopes he can restore the rulingConservative Party‘s majority in order to get his deal through.
Will Boris Johnson win an election?
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.
How can I register to vote or find out if I’m already registered?
The easiest way is to check with your local authority. If you’re not sure which one you fall undersimply type in your postcode at Your Vote Matters.
It’s not currently possible to check your registration online so you’ll have to use the contact details on there to get in touch with the council.
If you discover that you’re not registered then you can sign up on the Government website.
You’ll be asked to provide your name, date of birth, current address, past address if you have lived somewhere else in the last 12 months, and your National Insurance number.
If you are a British citizen living abroad you will also need your passport.
This process takes about five to 10 minutes and you need to register at least 12 working days before the election.
If you have moved house since you last registered to vote you will need to re-register under your new address.
