Boris Johnson news - live: Election to be held on 12 December after plans to give vote to EU citizens and 16-year-olds dismissed
Follow all the latest developments as MPs clear way for pre-Christmas polls
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson is set to secure a 12 December general election after MPs passed a bill to trigger a pre-Christmas poll.
The prime minister had earlier avoided a potential obstacle when the House of Commons deputy speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, refused to allow votes on Labour amendments calling for the vote to be given to EU citizens and 16- and 17-year olds.
The government had said it would pull the bill if either of the amendments passed.
MPs also voted by 315 to 295 to reject an amendment tabled by Jeremy Corbyn to change the date of the election to 9 December, three days earlier than ministers wanted.
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson has said an election "our best chance" to stop Brexit.
She said her party was "the strongest party of Remain and will be standing on a manifesto to stop Brexit by revoking Article 50".
“This country deserves better than Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, and I am excited to take our positive, pro-European, liberal vision to the country as the Liberal Democrat candidate for prime minister," she added.
Boris Johnson has just received a rapturous reception as he arrived at a meeting of the 1922 Committee after his bid for an early general election cleared the Commons
Tory MPs cheered and banged the table as he arrived for the meeting in parliament.
Parliament is to be dissolved at 12.01am on Wednesday, 6 November, Jacob-Rees Mogg told MPs after they passed the government's bill.
The bill will first go to the House of Lords, but after being approved by MPs it is unlikely that it will be held up by the unelected upper chamber.
The 20 MPs to oppose the early general election legislation at third reading included 11 from Labour.
They were: Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West), Margaret Beckett (Derby South), Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley), Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme), Peter Kyle (Hove), David Lammy (Tottenham), Ian Lucas (Wrexham), Albert Owen (Ynys Mon), Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield), Owen Smith (Pontypridd), Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge).
The other nine MPs to oppose the legislation were:
One SNP MP: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar).
Three Plaid Cymru: Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr), Liz Saville Roberts (Dwyfor Meirionnydd), Hywel Williams (Arfon).
Three Independent Group for Change MPs: Ann Coffey (Stockport), Mike Gapes (Ilford South), Anna Soubry (Broxtowe).
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas (Brighton Pavilion)
Independent Lady Hermon (North Down)
Labour's Owen Smith has announced he will not be standing in the general election.
The Pontypridd MP has served his constituency for almost a decade, and once stood as the sole challenger against Jeremy Corbyn in the race to become Labour party leader - a vote he lost after securing only 38% of the vote.
But now Mr Smith has confirmed he will not contest the next election "for political and personal reasons" in a succinct letter to Mr Corbyn.
Among those marking their final days in the palace of Westminster is Nicholas Soames, who is expected to step down having previously said he will not stand in the 2019 poll despite having the Conservative whip reinstated earlier today.
However the grandson of sir Winston Churchill does not appear to have been too melancholy as he carried out his parliamentary business - as seen in this moment captured by fellow Tory MP Tracey Crouch.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments