Britain will hold its first December election since 1923 after MPs backed Boris Johnson's call for an early trip to the polls.
The 57th Parliament of the United Kingdom will officially come to an end at a minute past midnight on Wednesday, marking the official start of the five-week election campaign period.
Political parties will be formally kicking off their General Election campaigns once Parliament is dissolved, with Brexit set to be a key battleground during this campaign.
So as MPs gear up for weeks of fierce campaigning, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the polls opening on December 12.
When is the next general election?
The next general election will likely take place on December 12, with voting taking place between 7am and 10pm.
The election can’t happen any earlier than this because once an election is called there has to be a gap of at least five weeks before polling day.
The law dictates that Parliament must dissolve 25 working days before a general election. At this point, MPs lose their status and must campaign for re-election, if they decide to stand again.
Why are we having an early election?
The next general election isn’t due until June 2022 under the terms of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA) 2011, which ensures the automatic dissolution of Parliament every five years.
However, a short bill tabled by Mr Johnson bypassed FTPA provisions to allow for a much earlier election date.
The PM has been vying for a trip to the polls for months because he wants to strengthen his hand in the House of Commons by restoring the Conservative Party’s ruling majority.
Despite failing three times previously to secure a snap election under FTPA rules, Mr Johnson’s calls were finally heeded in the Commons last month.
Opposition parties have their own motives for backing a fresh poll: Labour said it would be launching “the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen” to “put an end to the shambolic mess the Tories have made”.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party are seizing on the opportunity to stop Brexit in its tracks and expand their respective parties’ national standing.
What are the key dates between now and the general election?
- November 6: Parliament dissolves.
- November 14: Deadline for candidate nominations.
- Week of November 18: Likely launch of party manifestos.
- November 19: Leaders' debate.
- November 26: Deadline to register to vote.
- December 4: Deadline for applications by proxy.
- December 12:General election - polls open at 7am and close at 10pm.
Who are the candidates in my constituency?
A list of the candidates who are standing - or 'Statement of Persons Nominated' - will be posted on your local authority website and on notice boards in your area after the deadline for nominations has passed. This is expected to happen in mid-November.
You can find official election information for your area via the Electoral Commission website by typing in your postcode via this link: Electoral Commission: Your election information.
During the 2017 campaign, additional information about candidates in each constituency was collected online on the independent website 'Who Can I Vote For?'.
Can I vote for a new prime minister?
You can only vote to elect your local MP in a general election – you cannot specifically vote for a new prime minister.
If you live in Mr Johnson’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency you will vote for him simply as you local MP in the next Parliament.
This is the same if you live in the constituency of another political party leader.
When will the results of the election be announced?
It can take up to 24 hours for the results from all 650 constituencies to be declared, with the final total possibly coming as late as the evening of Friday, December 13.
Where can I find the results of the general election?
The Standard will report closely on the election results, and provide live coverage as the events unfurl.
Local authorities will also publish results for constituencies in their area.
The Electoral Commission will publish the national election results, as well as those for individual constituencies.
Which party is likely to win the election?
The bookies are backing the Conservatives to win the election, with Oddschecker pricing them at 1/6 to win the most seats.
Labour is lagging far behind at 11/2, while the Lib Dems have seen their odds shorten and are now on 50/1. Meanwhile, the bookies have slashed the odds on the Brexit Party winning and have listed them at 66/1 to win the most seats.
Opinion polls have also given the Tories lead over Labour, with the latest polling showing the Conservative Party has 38 per cent of support over Labour's 31 percent. Mr Johnson is also enjoying a seven-point lead over Jeremy Corbyn,
Data collected by ICM on behalf of Reuters also shows The Liberal Democrats were on 15 per cent and the Brexit Party behind with nine per cent.
