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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Timetable to Election 2010 | Timetable to Election 2010 |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown's announcement that the Budget will be on 24 March has convinced most MPs that the general election will follow on 6 May. Assuming this is the case, here is the likely countdown to polling day. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown's announcement that the Budget will be on 24 March has convinced most MPs that the general election will follow on 6 May. Assuming this is the case, here is the likely countdown to polling day. |
| WEDNESDAY, 24 MARCH - BUDGET | WEDNESDAY, 24 MARCH - BUDGET |
| Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to spell out more details of public spending cuts and announce a modest increase in spending on jobs as a pre-election vote catcher. | Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to spell out more details of public spending cuts and announce a modest increase in spending on jobs as a pre-election vote catcher. |
| TUESDAY, 6 APRIL - ELECTION DATE ANNOUNCED | TUESDAY, 6 APRIL - ELECTION DATE ANNOUNCED |
| After the long Easter weekend, Mr Brown is expected to announce the date of a general election as 6 May. He will already have gone to the Palace to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament on 12 April. | After the long Easter weekend, Mr Brown is expected to announce the date of a general election as 6 May. He will already have gone to the Palace to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament on 12 April. |
| THURSDAY, 8 APRIL - ADJOURNMENT OR PROROGATION | THURSDAY, 8 APRIL - ADJOURNMENT OR PROROGATION |
| MPs and peers stop sitting in Parliament after traditional scramble by party bosses to see what legislation can be saved. Parliament continues to exist until it is formally dissolved the following Monday. After dissolution there are no longer any MPs, although ministers keep their jobs during the election campaign. Local returning officers receive election wits. | MPs and peers stop sitting in Parliament after traditional scramble by party bosses to see what legislation can be saved. Parliament continues to exist until it is formally dissolved the following Monday. After dissolution there are no longer any MPs, although ministers keep their jobs during the election campaign. Local returning officers receive election wits. |
| MONDAY, 12 APRIL - PARLIAMENT DISSOLVED | MONDAY, 12 APRIL - PARLIAMENT DISSOLVED |
| Parliament is formally dissolved and writs are issued for elections in the UK's 650 constituencies. | Parliament is formally dissolved and writs are issued for elections in the UK's 650 constituencies. |
| THURSDAY, 15 APRIL - TV DEBATE | THURSDAY, 15 APRIL - TV DEBATE |
| ITV hosts the first of three 90 minute prime ministerial debates between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, which are likely to form the centrepiece of the campaign. The theme will be domestic affairs, although as with the other two debates it will broaden out into a general discussion with questions from viewers. Alistair Stewart is in the chair. | ITV hosts the first of three 90 minute prime ministerial debates between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, which are likely to form the centrepiece of the campaign. The theme will be domestic affairs, although as with the other two debates it will broaden out into a general discussion with questions from viewers. Alistair Stewart is in the chair. |
| TUESDAY, 20 APRIL - REGISTRATION DEADLINE | TUESDAY, 20 APRIL - REGISTRATION DEADLINE |
| Deadline for delivery of nomination papers/withdrawals of candidature/appointment of election agents at 1600 BST. Nominations announced at 1700 or as soon as any objections settled. Last day to apply to register to vote. Last day to apply for a new postal vote. | Deadline for delivery of nomination papers/withdrawals of candidature/appointment of election agents at 1600 BST. Nominations announced at 1700 or as soon as any objections settled. Last day to apply to register to vote. Last day to apply for a new postal vote. |
| THURSDAY, 22 APRIL - TV DEBATE | THURSDAY, 22 APRIL - TV DEBATE |
| Sky's turn to host the prime ministerial debate. Adam Boulton asks the questions and the main theme is foreign affairs. | Sky's turn to host the prime ministerial debate. Adam Boulton asks the questions and the main theme is foreign affairs. |
| TUESDAY, 27 APRIL - PROXY VOTES | TUESDAY, 27 APRIL - PROXY VOTES |
| Last day for receipt of late applications for people who cannot reach a polling station and want to vote by proxy (deadline 1700 BST). | |
| THURSDAY, 29 APRIL - TV DEBATE | THURSDAY, 29 APRIL - TV DEBATE |
| The BBC hosts the final of the three televised debates. David Dimbleby is in the chair and the main theme is the economy. | The BBC hosts the final of the three televised debates. David Dimbleby is in the chair and the main theme is the economy. |
| THURSDAY, 6 MAY - POLLING DAY | THURSDAY, 6 MAY - POLLING DAY |
| Election day, with polling stations open between 0700 and 2200 BST. | Election day, with polling stations open between 0700 and 2200 BST. |