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Could there be an early general election? Could there be an early general election?
(about 3 hours later)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he wants to hold a general election on 12 December, to try to "get Brexit done". MPs have rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson's attempt to hold an early general election on 12 December.
But how could an election happen and why does Mr Johnson want one? But why does the PM want an election and what are his remaining options?
Why does Boris Johnson want an early election?Why does Boris Johnson want an early election?
The next election isn't due until 2022, but the PM wants an early election to try to restore the Conservative Party's majority. The next general election is not due until 2022, but the PM wants an early election to try to restore the Conservative Party's majority.
At the moment, if every opposition MP voted against the government, it would lose by 45 votes. While an early election carries risks, Mr Johnson hopes to win more seats in the House of Commons, to make it easier to pass a Brexit deal.
While an early election carries risks, Mr Johnson would hope to win more seats in the House of Commons, to make it easier to deliver Brexit.
How quickly can an election happen?How quickly can an election happen?
Once an election is called, there has to be a gap of at least five weeks before polling day.Once an election is called, there has to be a gap of at least five weeks before polling day.
That's because the law requires Parliament to dissolve 25 working days beforehand. That is because the law requires Parliament to dissolve 25 working days beforehand.
At this point, MPs lose their title and campaign for re-election, if they choose to stand again. At this point, MPs lose their status and campaign for re-election, if they choose to stand again.
So, in order for polling day to take place on 12 December, the election would have to be triggered before 6 November. So, in order for polling day to take place on Mr Johnson's preferred date of 12 December, the election would have to be triggered before 6 November.
Why hasn't an election already been called?Why hasn't an election already been called?
Mr Johnson can't just decide to hold an early election. He needs the support of two-thirds of MPs - at least 434. This is a legal requirement, set out under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. Mr Johnson can't just decide to hold an early election. He needs the support of two-thirds of all MPs - at least 434. This is a legal requirement, set out under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.
In September, the prime minister twice challenged MPs to hold an early election - only to be rejected both times. The latest rejection by MPs on Monday night comes after Mr Johnson lost two previous attempts last month to trigger an early election.
Labour says it will support an early election, but only once the risk of a no-deal Brexit is "off the table." Labour says it will support an early election, but only once the risk of a no-deal Brexit is "off the table".
There are a number of possible routes that could lead to an early election: Had the PM secured enough votes, he would have then recommended the day of the election to the Queen.
A vote under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act Despite losing the vote, there are other options the government can pursue.
The simplest way for the government to call an early election would be to hold a third vote under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.
This is what Mr Johnson will attempt on Monday.
If he is supported by two-thirds of MPs and the vote passes, the PM would then be expected to recommend a 12 December polling day to the Queen.
Bypass the Fixed-term Parliaments ActBypass the Fixed-term Parliaments Act
If the government fails to reach a two-thirds threshold, it's likely to attempt to an early election through a different route. The government plans to get round the two-thirds threshold by introducing a very short law that fixes the date of the election as 12 December.
It could do so by introducing a very short law that adds "notwithstanding the Fixed-term Parliaments Act". The advantage of this route - from the government's point of view - is that it would only require a simple majority of MPs to support it rather than two-thirds. MPs are set to vote on it on Tuesday.
The advantage of this route - from the government's point of view - is that it would only require a simple majority of MPs to support it rather than two-thirds. The SNP and Liberal Democrats had already discussed the idea of a similar bill - although they want a different date. Under their plan, both parties had said they would propose a law on Tuesday that sets an election for Monday 9 December - three days earlier than Mr Johnson's preferred date.
It would also allow a fixed election date of 12 December to be set in law. It is not yet clear if they might switch to support the government's bill.
This route to an early election is favoured by the SNP and Liberal Democrats, but they want a a different date. Under their plan, both parties would introduce a law that proposes an election on 9 December - three days earlier than Mr Johnson's preferred date. If an election was held on 9 December, it would be the first time since 1931 that a UK election had not been held on a Thursday.
If a new election was brought via this route, it would need to clear all stages in the House of Commons and the House of Lords in time. There is also a risk the law could be altered if MPs or peers propose changes - such as allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote. If an election was brought via this route - either for 9 or 12 December - it would need to clear all stages in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. There is also a risk the law could be altered if MPs or peers propose changes - such as allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote.
Labour calls a motion of no confidenceLabour calls a motion of no confidence
Rather than the government, it could be the opposition that initiates an early election. This could happen if Labour proposed a no-confidence vote.Rather than the government, it could be the opposition that initiates an early election. This could happen if Labour proposed a no-confidence vote.
This would give all MPs a vote on whether they wanted the current government to continue.This would give all MPs a vote on whether they wanted the current government to continue.
Only a simple majority would be needed.Only a simple majority would be needed.
If it succeeded, opposition parties would be allowed two weeks to come together to try to form an alternative government. If this happened, Mr Johnson would be expected to resign and a new prime minister would take over.If it succeeded, opposition parties would be allowed two weeks to come together to try to form an alternative government. If this happened, Mr Johnson would be expected to resign and a new prime minister would take over.
But if nothing was resolved during those two weeks, the Fixed-term Parliaments Act says a general election would be automatically triggered.But if nothing was resolved during those two weeks, the Fixed-term Parliaments Act says a general election would be automatically triggered.
Under this scenario, an election would take place at least seven weeks after a no-confidence vote was passed. That's because two weeks would be taken up by opposition parties trying to form a government, plus a further five weeks to dissolve Parliament for the campaign.Under this scenario, an election would take place at least seven weeks after a no-confidence vote was passed. That's because two weeks would be taken up by opposition parties trying to form a government, plus a further five weeks to dissolve Parliament for the campaign.
This would leave 19 December as the earliest possible date - a week after Mr Johnson's preferred date.This would leave 19 December as the earliest possible date - a week after Mr Johnson's preferred date.
Government calls a motion of no confidence in itselfGovernment calls a motion of no confidence in itself
If the government felt it had no other way of forcing an early election, it could in theory call a motion of no confidence in itself.If the government felt it had no other way of forcing an early election, it could in theory call a motion of no confidence in itself.
In order for it to succeed, Conservative MPs would have to vote to bring down their own government.In order for it to succeed, Conservative MPs would have to vote to bring down their own government.
While such a tactic might appear extreme to outside observers, it would trigger an automatic early election - as long as opposition parties failed to form an alternative government within the 14 days.While such a tactic might appear extreme to outside observers, it would trigger an automatic early election - as long as opposition parties failed to form an alternative government within the 14 days.
As such, this option would be extremely high risk.As such, this option would be extremely high risk.
Brexit explainedBrexit explained
Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU. A public vote was held in June 2016 to decide whether the UK should leave or remain.Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU. A public vote was held in June 2016 to decide whether the UK should leave or remain.
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