The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Election 2019
MPs vote 438 to 20 for general election on December 12. Postal workers may target poll with strike action. Push for Indyref2 will be at heart of SNP election campaign.
The country will return to the polls for its fourth general election this decade on December 12.
In a rare double Commons victory for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, MPs voted by majority first on the date of the election and then to pass the Early Parliamentary General Election Bill.
It will be the first general election held in the month of December since 1923.
The Commons voted by 438 to 20 at third reading to approve the one-page Bill enabling the election to be held on December 12.
Earlier last night members voted by 315 to 295 to reject Labour’s amendment for the proposed polling day to be moved to December 9.
Parliament is likely to be dissolved by Wednesday next week.
The SNP abstained from the final vote having voted in favour of a December 9 vote.
Mr Johnson acknowledged it will be a “tough election” after addressing the Tory backbenchers.
The prime minister told reporters: “I think it’s time for the country to come together, get Brexit done and go forward.”
But asked if he believes he can secure a majority, he said: “It’ll be a tough election and we are going to do the best we can.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “This election is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our country and take on the vested interests holding people back.
“The choice at this election could not be clearer. A Labour government will be on your side, while Boris Johnson’s Conservatives, who think they’re born to rule, will only look after the privileged few. We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change that our country has ever seen.
“This is our chance to build a country for the many not the few and fit for the next generation.”
The Bill goes now to the House of Lords, in order for it to be passed for Royal assent.
The Lords will debate the Bill later today, having adjourned late last night for first reading.
It is possible peers could add amendments to the Bill calling for the enfranchisement of EU residents, as well as allowing 16 and 17-year-olds the chance to vote – which were turned down by the speakers yesterday.
The prime minister had said on Tuesday that if those amendments allowing young people and EU citizens not born in the UK the right to vote were allowed, he would in turn remove the Bill.
John Bercow will be replaced this coming Monday, making last night’s Bill on holding an early general election one of the last events he was involved in as speaker.
Leader of the House Jacob ReesMogg said he could not guarantee there would be business next week, although because the dissolution date is a week today it would be possible business could be conducted on Monday and Tuesday.