WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

What happens today?

MPs will vote on a motion calling for a general election on Thursday, June 8. Two thirds – or 434 members – must vote in favour of the motion for it to pass. Jeremy Corbyn has said his 229 MPs will back it, making it a formality.

Why can’t the PM just call an election?

Until the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act became law in 2011, a prime minister could call an election at any point under prerogative powers. Elections would also be held where a government lost a confidence motion. In a concession to the Lib Dems, and in an attempt to ensure the coalition remained in place, the Act removed that power and set in place fiveyear parliaments.

What if the Government loses today’s vote?

This is very unlikely to happen but the Government would probably respond by voting itself down with a confidence motion. This would give Jeremy Corbyn just two weeks to form a Labour administration. With only 229 MPs in a Commons chamber of 6 0 he would not be able to command a majority, so the general election would then go ahead as planned in June.

What about Bills going through Parliament?

Parliament remains sitting until one minute past midnight on Wednesday, May 3. In the interim ‘wash up’ period, legislation which hasn’t passed the Commons and the Lords will either be abandoned or pushed through. The Finance Bill, which puts the latest Budget into law, will be an outright priority.

When will the formal campaign start?

The local elections in Scotland, Wales and England, plus regional mayoral votes take place on Thursday, May 4. The general election campaign is likely to begin on the following Monday, May 8. That would give five weeks of campaigning.