MPs have backed holding a snap general election in December, with the legislation needed to trigger the poll passing its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday.
Boris Johnson put forward a short bill which sets aside the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act (FTPA) and enables a general election on December 12. The next election was not scheduled to take place until May 2022.
The bill passed its second reading without the need for a formal vote as it has the clear support of the main parties.
It does not mean a pre-Christmas election is certain to happen, as the bill still needs to complete its passage through the Commons and the Lords.
MPs will vote this evening on a move by Jeremy Corbyn to amend the legislation to bring forward the election date to December 9.
The prime minister said he wants an election to secure a majority and a “new mandate” from voters to get his Brexit deal through the Commons and take the UK out of the EU by January 31.
Corbyn backed an early election following a meeting of his shadow cabinet this morning. The Labour leader gave the go-ahead now a no-deal Brexit on October 31 was “off the table”.
“Whatever date the House decides the election will be, I’m ready for it, we’re ready for it,” he said.
His decision came after the Lib Dems and SNP said they would help facilitate the early poll. The two parties have said getting more pro-Remain MPs elected is the only way to stop Brexit.
Labour is not united on the wisdom of agreeing to an election, with some backbenchers having pledged to vote against it. Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said giving the PM the poll he wanted was “sheer madness” as it allowed him to avoid scrutiny of his Brexit deal.
If the election is held on December 12 as the government has requested, then parliament will be dissolved on November 6.