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Parties gear up for 12 December election battle Parties gear up for 12 December election battle
(32 minutes later)
Political parties are readying themselves for a general election campaign after MPs voted for a 12 December poll.Political parties are readying themselves for a general election campaign after MPs voted for a 12 December poll.
The legislation approved by MPs on Tuesday will later begin its passage through the House of Lords, where it is not expected to be opposed.The legislation approved by MPs on Tuesday will later begin its passage through the House of Lords, where it is not expected to be opposed.
Boris Johnson says he is ready to fight a "tough" general election.Boris Johnson says he is ready to fight a "tough" general election.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the snap poll gave a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to transform the country.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the snap poll gave a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to transform the country.
His shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said the election wouldn't just be about Brexit - telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It will be about austerity [and] about what's happen to our public service." His shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said the election wouldn't just be about Brexit - telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It will be about austerity [and] about what's happened to our public service."
But Mr Johnson hopes the vote will give him a fresh mandate for his deal to leave the EU and break the current deadlock in Parliament.But Mr Johnson hopes the vote will give him a fresh mandate for his deal to leave the EU and break the current deadlock in Parliament.
He told Conservative MPs it was time for the country to "come together to get Brexit done", adding: "It'll be a tough election and we are going to do the best we can."He told Conservative MPs it was time for the country to "come together to get Brexit done", adding: "It'll be a tough election and we are going to do the best we can."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was "certainly not yearning for general election", but he believed it was "the only way to move the country forward".
The poll comes after the EU extended the UK's exit deadline to 31 January 2020 - although Brexit can happen earlier if a deal is agreed by MPs.The poll comes after the EU extended the UK's exit deadline to 31 January 2020 - although Brexit can happen earlier if a deal is agreed by MPs.
The leaders of the UK's main two political parties will face off for Prime Minister's Questions at midday on Wednesday.The leaders of the UK's main two political parties will face off for Prime Minister's Questions at midday on Wednesday.
What happens next?
What have the other parties said?What have the other parties said?
The Liberal Democrats and the SNP both see the election as a chance to ask voters whether Brexit should happen at all.The Liberal Democrats and the SNP both see the election as a chance to ask voters whether Brexit should happen at all.
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said the poll was "our best chance to elect a government to stop Brexit".Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said the poll was "our best chance to elect a government to stop Brexit".
Asked if she would form a coalition government with Labour or the Conservatives, she said: "I can't be clearer - neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn is fit to be prime minister."Asked if she would form a coalition government with Labour or the Conservatives, she said: "I can't be clearer - neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn is fit to be prime minister."
But deputy Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the party was in discussions with Plaid Cyrmu and the Green Party "to see if we can work with them".
Mr McDonnell also said there would be "no deals, no coalitions" with other parties if Labour failed to win an overall majority.Mr McDonnell also said there would be "no deals, no coalitions" with other parties if Labour failed to win an overall majority.
For the SNP, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said an election was an opportunity for the country to hold another independence referendum.For the SNP, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said an election was an opportunity for the country to hold another independence referendum.
"A win for the SNP will be an unequivocal and irresistible demand for Scotland's right to choose our own future," she said."A win for the SNP will be an unequivocal and irresistible demand for Scotland's right to choose our own future," she said.
But the Scottish Conservatives claimed voting for their party would keep Scotland in the UK.But the Scottish Conservatives claimed voting for their party would keep Scotland in the UK.
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage welcomed the election, tweeting the deadlock had been "broken" and "Brexit now has a chance to succeed".Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage welcomed the election, tweeting the deadlock had been "broken" and "Brexit now has a chance to succeed".
But co-leader of the Green Party Jonathan Bartley said the poll should be "a climate election" and focus on environmental issues.But co-leader of the Green Party Jonathan Bartley said the poll should be "a climate election" and focus on environmental issues.
When the House of Lords approves the election bill today then we will be on course for a 12 December winter election. The legislation approved by MPs now must be rubberstamped by the House of Lords.
It is set to be one of the most unpredictable and epic elections of modern times. It would be pretty strange if unelected peers up the corridor from the green benches decided to say no or throw spanners in the works of a decision made by the House of Commons last night.
Unpredictable, because Brexit totally overshadows it, but also because Brexit has totally reshaped our politics, too. Unless something very strange happens, we are now on for an election.
The main parties can no longer rely on the traditional class party residual loyalty. Instead, we have an emerging sort of identity culture politics which has changed the game entirely. Both sides are very, very nervous about what might unfold. And both sides are right to be nervous.
And epic in the sense that the sort of promises the two main parties are making are gargantuan huge spending promises. The two main party leaders, in a strange kind of mirror of each other, are happy campaigners, but divisive characters.
It is going to be a titanic contest. Both of them will try to set the agenda, but they can't know where this will all take us.
They can't know if it will be their issues they're able to talk about at length, but that's the glory of elections - it's up to voters to set the terms.
They decide the things they care about, they are interested in and they will put politicians on the spot about.
How did we get here?How did we get here?
On Tuesday Mr Johnson's team tabled a one-page bill proposing a 12 December election to the Commons which needed the support of only a simple majority of MPs.On Tuesday Mr Johnson's team tabled a one-page bill proposing a 12 December election to the Commons which needed the support of only a simple majority of MPs.
Labour's amendment to change the date of the proposed election from 12 to 9 December was rejected and MPs voted to back the government's original bill by 438 votes to 20.Labour's amendment to change the date of the proposed election from 12 to 9 December was rejected and MPs voted to back the government's original bill by 438 votes to 20.
More than 100 Labour MPs did not take part or abstained in Tuesday's crucial vote, while 11 voted against an election. A total of 127 Labour MPs, including Mr Corbyn, supported the election.More than 100 Labour MPs did not take part or abstained in Tuesday's crucial vote, while 11 voted against an election. A total of 127 Labour MPs, including Mr Corbyn, supported the election.
The bill, approved by MPs, paves the way for the first December election since 1923.The bill, approved by MPs, paves the way for the first December election since 1923.