Early Parliamentary General Election

Following the Government defeat in the creation of the Bill to prevent the UK leaving the EU on 31 October 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson proposes a General Election to be held on Tuesday 15 October 2019.

After debating for 90 minutes the question was put to a vote.

The result of the vote showed 298 in favour and 56 against. (The majority of Labour members abstained.)

However, the motion to hold a General Election did not receive enough votes in favour under the terms of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.

The Act specifies that early elections can be held only:

  • if a motion for an early general election is agreed either by at least two-thirds of the whole House or without division

    • or

  • if a motion of no confidence is passed and no alternative government is confirmed by the Commons within 14 days