
Boris Johnson has asked voters to give him a majority so he can take Britain out of the EU at the start of the new year after he finally won his bid for a December 12 election.

The Prime Minister pledged that if he wins at the polls he will return immediately to the Commons to get his deal passed and end the 'dither and delay'.

Downing Street said he would get Brexit done in January and devote 2020 to delivering his domestic agenda, including on schools, hospitals and policing.

The country is set go to the polls on December 12 after Jeremy Corbyn caved in to huge pressure from the PM, the Lib Dems and SNP.

The legislation for the plan was finalised in the Commons after a day of bitter wrangling and procedural tricks.

The last outstanding issue was resolved in a crunch vote this evening, with MPs deciding that the snap poll should happen on the government's preferred date of December 12 rather than December 9.

As battle commenced on the first December election since 1923;

Mr Johnson restored the Tory whip to ten MPs kicked out last month for opposing a No Deal Brexit;

Tory sources confirmed the PM's girlfriend Carrie Symonds will join him on the five-week campaign trail;

Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice said Tory MPs were pleading with him not to field candidates against them;

The Government headed off opposition attempts to move the polling date to December 9 and give the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds and EU nationals;

EU president Donald Tusk warned the latest Brexit extension 'may be the last';

More than 100 Labour MPs defied the whip and refused to vote for the election;

Plaid Cymru said talks were under way on pacts between pro-Remain parties;

Tory sources said Mr Johnson would pledge to deliver Brexit by January

Opposition parties had pushed for the earlier date to ensure that students are still at university, where they tend to be registered to vote. But the government won comfortably by 315 to 295. The Bill was then given its third reading by an overwhelming 438 to 20.

Late tonight, Mr Johnson was greeted with a rapturous reception as he arrived at a 1922 Committee meeting.

Tory MPs cheered and banged the table as he came in for the meeting in Parliament.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seen on Downing Street this evening in another day of high drama in the House of Commons

Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaving the House of Commons, London, after MPs voted by 438 to 20 to back a Bill enabling the election to take place on December 12

Opening the debate on a snap election today, Boris Johnson said he had tried to be 'reasonable' with Parliament

The chamber was packed today as MPs fought over whether and when to hold the snap general election

Mr Corbyn's sudden shift to back an election came less than 24 hours after he dismissed Mr Johnson's demand to go to the country to resolve the Brexit standoff

Tory backbencher Robert Halfon said Mr Johnson told MPs it was going to be an incredibly tough election for the Conservatives.

How MPs voted: They decided the snap poll should happen on the government's preferred date of December 12 rather than the December 9

After the meeting, Mr Halfon said: '[Mr Johnson] said we're going to take the fight to Corbyn on schools, hospitals and the police. We're going to take the fight to Corbyn on domestic issues.

'Of course, he said we have to have an election because we've got to get Brexit done and Labour will mess it up... but it was a King Henry V to Agincourt-type speech – very inspirational.

'He said it's going to be the toughest election. He said forget about the polls, forget about everything you read, this is going to be an incredibly tough election.

'No one wants to do an election in December, it's going to be mega tough.'

It was claimed that, if Mr Johnson wins an election on December 12, he could ensure his Brexit deal is ratified by the Commons and Lords by the end of the following week and Britain could leave at the start of the new year.

But the deal would also have to be ratified by the European Parliament under the terms of the 'flextension'.

When asked if there could be an emergency sitting over Christmas to get Brexit over the line for December 31, a spokesman for European Parliament President David Sassoli said: 'The European Parliament is always ready. We will be ready.'

But a No 10 source conceded that if the Conservatives win the election then Brexit will likely not happen until 2020.

'What the Conservatives will be promising if we win is that we will get Brexit done. We will immediately come back, we have a deal, we will be able to go to the European Council and get it ratified and get this done,' the source said.

Asked if this meant departing the EU by the end of this year, the source added: 'Probably the start of January – but 2020 would be about our domestic priorities.'

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, whose switch was crucial in passing the Bill, said: 'This General Election will decide the future of our country for generations. It is our best chance to elect a Government to stop Brexit.'

The Prime Minister is aiming to restore the Tories' Commons majority lost by Theresa May in 2107 so he can finally end three years of deadlock and get his Brexit deal through Parliament.

However, there are risks in going to the country having failed to deliver on his promise to deliver Brexit by October 31 'do or die' and with Nigel Farage's Brexit Party denouncing his deal with Brussels.

What has happened in the Commons tonight? Boris Johnson put forward an election Bill to take the country to the polls before Christmas. The Bill received approval in principle at second reading, without a formal vote being needed. The House then now moved on to committee stage - where amendments were considered. Only one substantive change was chosen by Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, after he dismissed others on handing the vote to 16-year-olds and EU nationals as out of scope. In the crunch vote of the night, the government's comfortably saw off a challenge to its preferred date of December 12. Opposition parties had tried to insist the election should be brought forward to December 9, partly because it is in university term time. The House then approved the final version of the Bill at third reading. The legislation will move to the Lords next, but few expect serious trouble in the Upper House. Advertisement

A pre-Christmas poll means voter turnout likely to be depressed on the dark December nights while the Conservatives may also suffer at the ballot box if the NHS is hit by a winter flu crisis.

Jeremy Corbyn sought to strike an upbeat note, saying the election offered a 'once-in-generation' chance to transform the country.

It was the Labour leader's decision finally to back an election which enabled Mr Johnson to get it through the Commons.

Mr Corbyn sought to characterise the election as a contest between Conservatives 'who think they are born to rule' and Labour's programme of radical reform.

Writing in the Daily Mirror, he highlighted their plans to take rail, water and energy into public ownership while raising taxes on those 'at the top' to invest in public services.

'We're launching the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change that our country has ever seen. This is a once in a generation chance to build a country for the many not the few,' he said.

The Lib Dems go into the election confident their pro-Remain stance will see them pick up support with leader Jo Swinson pitching herself as 'the Liberal Democrat candidate for prime minister'.

'It is our best chance to elect a government to stop Brexit,' she said.

For the SNP, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was an opportunity for Scotland to put an independence referendum back on the agenda.

PM brings 10 Tory rebels back into the fold Boris Johnson has restored the Tory whip to 10 of the 21 former Conservative rebels who were expelled after backing a bid to block a No Deal Brexit. The Prime Minister met with the 10 MPs in his House of Commons office this evening as they were offered the chance to return to the Tory fold. All 10 accepted the PM's offer and will now be able to stand as Tory candidates at the forthcoming snap general election if they want to. The 10 who have had the Tory whip restored are: Alistair Burt, Caroline Nokes, Greg Clark, Sir Nicholas Soames, Ed Vaizey, Margot James, Richard Benyon, Stephen Hammond, Steve Brine and Richard Harrington. The remaining 11 rebels, including Philip Hammond and Ken Clarke, have not been welcomed back. However, a Tory source said that this evening's events do not mean that the remaining 11 will be permanently deprived of the whip as they suggested there could still be a way back for the PM's critics. Advertisement

'A win for the SNP will be an unequivocal and irresistible demand for Scotland's right to choose our own future,' she said.

Despite Mr Corbyn staging an humiliating U-turn yesterday to declare he will support a pre-Christmas poll, Labour pushed amendments that would effectively have wrecked the Bill.

The efforts to hand voting rights to 16-year-olds and EU nationals would have put the election date back for months while new electoral roll was created.

But they were not selected by Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for consideration by MPs.

Downing Street had warned that if such amendments were passed they would simply pull the legislation - pointing out that it would be impossible to get the young people on the electoral roll in time.

The legislation was then swiftly nodded through its second reading, and a single vote resolved the date issue.

The Bill now moves to the Lords, and Parliament is expected to be dissolved in the middle of next week for what promises to be a frantic campaign.

The outcome of that battle could depend on whether Mr Johnson can come to an arrangement with Nigel Farage to avoid splitting the Eurosceptic vote.

The Brexit Party leader today hinted it might not stand candidates in every seat at the election, in a boost for the PM.

Opening the Commons debate today, the PM insisted that the time had come to 'refresh the Parliament and have the people decide'.

'All they want to do is procrastinate,' he told the Commons.

'They don't want to deliver Brexit on October 31, on November 31, even on January 31.'

He added: 'They just want to spin it out forever, until the 12th of never. And when the 12th of never eventually comes around, they'll devise one of their complicated parliamentary procedures and move a motion for a further delay and a further extension then.'

Mr Corbyn's sudden shift to back an election came less than 24 hours after he dismissed Mr Johnson's demand to go to the country to resolve the Brexit standoff.

Trying to put a brave face on the humiliating capitulation this morning, the Labour leader insisted his test of ruling out No Deal has been met. 'I can't wait to get out there on the streets,' he said.

Will Boris Johnson switch to a safer seat? The PM faces a tough fight to hold his own constituency – leading to claims he could switch to a safer seat to avoid the risk of humiliation. Boris Johnson is MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, where he has a majority of just 5,034 over Labour. It would take a swing of just over 5 per cent to snatch the seat – and Corbynista group Momentum will target it with hundreds of volunteers. Their 'Unseat Boris' campaign would make Mr Johnson the first premier to lose his seat in an election in modern times. Labour claims he will announce in the next few days that he will take the 'chicken run' and stand for a seat with a much larger Tory majority. Downing Street described the rumours as 'tosh and nonsense'. Uxbridge in West London – traditionally true blue – has been represented by Mr Johnson since 2015. When he first stood, he clocked up a majority of 10,695. But this halved in Theresa May's disastrous election of 2017. Labour has chosen Ali Milani, a 25-year-old Muslim, as their candidate. Advertisement

In reality his Remainer alliance had shattered, with the SNP and Lib Dems on the verge of backing the legislation - whether or not Mr Corbyn wanted an election.

However, the veteran left-winger still faced resistance from backbench MPs who were terrified of being put to the sword by the Tories. Labour has been trailing by up to 16 points in the polls.

One MP told MailOnline: 'They are f***ing mad. They think they on the brink of a brave new Socialist dawn.'

They added that the decision was 'proof that turkeys vote for Christmas'.

As his victory became clear tonight, Mr Johnson restored the Tory whip to 10 of the 21 former Conservative rebels who were expelled after backing a bid to block a No Deal Brexit.

The Prime Minister met with the 10 MPs in his House of Commons office this evening as they were offered the chance to return to the Tory fold.

All 10 accepted the PM's offer and will now be able to stand as Tory candidates at the forthcoming snap general election if they want to.

The 10 who have had the Tory whip restored are: Alistair Burt, Caroline Nokes, Greg Clark, Sir Nicholas Soames, Ed Vaizey, Margot James, Richard Benyon, Stephen Hammond, Steve Brine and Richard Harrington.

The remaining 11 rebels, including Philip Hammond and Ken Clarke, have not been welcomed back.

However, a Tory source said that this evening's events do not mean that the remaining 11 will be permanently deprived of the whip as they suggested there could still be a way back for the PM's critics.

The Prime Minister finally achieved the breakthrough in his fourth effort to force a snap poll.

A short piece of legislation was put before MPs today to trigger the vote on December 12 - although the date was bitterly wrangled over.

Previously Mr Johnson had tried to force an election by tabling a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, which requires a two-thirds majority in the Commons.

It's Boris v Corbyn – on TV! Boris Johnson has agreed to go head-to-head with Jeremy Corbyn in TV debates, the Mail understands. In 2017, then-PM Theresa May was widely criticised after refusing to take part in a live debate and sending Amber Rudd as her replacement. But the Mail understands negotiations between No10 and Jeremy Corbyn's office, and ITV, the BBC and Sky News, have already begun. However, with both the Conservatives and Labour preferring to see their leaders face off against each other, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson could be squeezed out. Tory strategists are keen to avoid a repeat of the 2010 election debates when Nick Clegg's performance saw a brief 'Cleggmania' popularity spike. In 2017 the BBC hosted a seven-way debate featuring Miss Rudd, Mr Corbyn, the Lib Dems' Tim Farron, and the leaders of Ukip, the Greens and other minor parties. Mrs May's refusal to attend was seen as undermining her 'strong and stable' message. Mrs May and Mr Corbyn both took part in a joint Channel 4 and Sky News show with questions from Jeremy Paxman and a studio audience, but appeared on screen one after the other. During the Tory leadership election, Mr Johnson took part in three live showdowns against his party rivals. Advertisement

That threshold could only be met if Mr Corbyn agrees, and he vetoed the step last night.

However, the latest tactic only required a simple majority, and there were fears SNP and Lib Dem support meant Labour was about to be embarrassingly outflanked.

Mr Johnson met the main demands of the smaller parties by accepting that his Brexit deal will be shelved until after an election.

Most of the day was spent arguing whether the date should be December 9 rather than 12, with the issue likely to be the subject of a row in the Commons later.

A No10 source floated a compromise this morning, suggesting December 11.

But ministers were keen to leave some wriggle room, saying a December 9 date meant the Bill must go through by the end of Thursday, and other laws need to be passed for Northern Ireland.

In the end they won by 20 votes, despite the government theoretically being in a minority.

Trying to put a brave face on his capitulation earlier, Mr Corbyn said: 'There will be a parliamentary process this afternoon.

'We are going out there to fight an election campaign and I can't wait to get out there on the streets.'

He told the shadow cabinet earlier: 'We have now heard from the EU that the extension of Article 50 to 31st January has been confirmed, so for the next three months, our condition of taking No Deal off the table has now been met.

'We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen.'

Jeremy Corbyn (pictured this morning) told the shadow cabinet that his test of ruling out No Deal has now been met - despite claiming the opposite last night

Mr Corbyn said the election was a 'once in a generation chance to build a country for the many'

Battle lines were drawn in the House of Commons after the short Bill (pictured) to trigger an election was tabled

The abrupt climbdown by Mr Corbyn came amid mounting signs of panic in Labour that they would be outflanked on the election.

The veteran left-winger and his closest aides have been keen to trigger a showdown ballot.

Initially the Labour leader claimed that the party would support an early vote if the EU granted an extension to January 31 - as happened yesterday.

Will Christmas poll be a Turkey? Cold weather, nativity plays and booked-up church halls are among the many challenges facing a Christmas election. Boris Johnson's plan to go to the polls on December 12 could hinder campaigning and voter turnout due to limited daylight hours and clashes with office parties. And the snap poll will be a cause for concern for the superstitious among us – as the result will be announced on unlucky Friday 13. The Tories may also be more likely to suffer from a December election, since the cold disproportionately affects older voter turnout, a key demographic for the party. The December poll could also cause confusion and delays as officials will be forced to use two different electoral registers to manage voting. The electoral roll is updated annually on December 1, but polling cards would need to be sent out in November – meaning polling card numbers might not correspond to the new list. The last Christmas election was called by Stanley Baldwin in 1923, resulting in a hung parliament and eventual defeat for the Tories. Advertisement

However, he later raised the bar to insist that Mr Johnson must rule out No Deal ever happening.

The PM has not done so.

Following his volte face, Mr Corbyn faces a massive revolt by half his MPs, who fear being eaten alive by the Tories and Lib Dems, and would rather have a second Brexit referendum before an election.

But the numbers in Parliament look overwhelming.

Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner had suggested earlier today that Labour could be about to make a dramatic U-turn.

Asked what Mr Johnson could do to get Labour support, he said: 'The first thing, I think, would be to ensure that students are not going to be disenfranchised by the date of the election.'

Pressed on whether December 9 would be more acceptable than December 12, Mr Gardiner said: 'It certainly would.'

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson declined to say last night whether her 19 MPs would support Mr Johnson this afternoon but pointed out she had rejected December 12.

Government sources said it was too late to meet the Lib Dems' preferred date of December 9 – but indicated that the two following days were possible compromise options.

In the Commons last night, Mr Johnson said: 'We will not allow this paralysis to continue. This House can no longer keep the country hostage. Millions of families and businesses cannot plan for the future.'

The PM accused Mr Corbyn of 'literally and figuratively running away from the judgment of the British people'.

Jacob Rees-Mogg and Michael Gove (left) and Esther McVey (right) were at Cabinet today

Chancellor Sajid Javid seemed in good spirits as he left the Cabinet meeting in Downing Street earlier today

Mr Johnson is unable to simply call an election because of the conditions of the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act, which state that the next election should not be held until June 2022.

The legislation, passed by the coalition government, allows for an early election only if two thirds of MPs back the idea in a Commons vote.

But last night, for the third time in recent months, Mr Corbyn ordered his Labour MPs to abstain. As a result, the vote was won by 299 votes to 70 - well short of the 434 votes needed to secure an early poll.

Veteran strategist from 2015 election will play key role in poll battle Boris Johnson will be relying on a key player in the Tories' 2015 election victory when the parties do battle. The PM hired Isaac Levido as director of politics and campaigning over the summer. He was a former deputy to controversial Australian election guru Lynton Crosby, who masterminded David Cameron's coalition-busting win four years ago. But he also went on to work on Zac Goldsmith's failed London mayoral campaign in 2016 and Theresa May's disastrous general election campaign the following year. More recently Mr Levido worked for Australian's Liberal Party which surprisingly won an election earlier this year. Advertisement

Mr Johnson said the Government would now press ahead with a 'simple Bill' that sets aside the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act and states that the next election should be held on December 12.

The idea was first floated at the weekend – with a date of December 9 – by the Lib Dems and SNP, who both see an electoral advantage in going to the polls before Brexit is delivered.

Tory chief whip Mark Spencer was leading intensive talks with his counterparts in the two minor parties in the hope of stitching together a compromise that would deliver a pre-Christmas election.

Government sources said it was all-but impossible to get the legislation through in time for an election on December 9 as this would require Parliament to be dissolved on Thursday night.

Sources said MPs also had to pass Northern Ireland budget legislation before an election could be held.

Mr Corbyn suggested parts of the country would be too dark in the evening to hold an election on December 12.

He later appeared to hint he could drop his opposition if the poll was held a few days earlier.

But Labour transport spokesman Andy McDonald tonight suggested his party was unlikely to change its position and back the Government.

'I think it's very unwise to be having a general election in the run-up to Christmas,' he said.

A breakdown showing how MPs voted on the PM's previous bid to trigger an election last night. It shows that the Lib Dems opposed the vote, while the SNP and Labour abstained

Mr Johnson's Brexit strategist Dominic Cummings (left today) was in Downing Street as the latest wrangling continued

Mr Johnson's allies are determined to secure a pre-Christmas election, believing it is the only way to break the Brexit deadlock. The Prime Minister told MPs: 'Across the country there is a widespread view that this Parliament has run its course.

'I simply do not believe that this House is capable of delivering on the priorities of the people, whether that means Brexit or anything else.' However, some senior Tories such as Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith, Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have argued it would be better to try to pass the PM's Brexit deal before going to the polls.

Labour civil war after Jeremy Corbyn backs snap election Jeremy Corbyn's supporters were accused of hankering after a 'brave new Socialist dawn' that could destroy the party today after he agreed to a pre-Christmas election. The Labour leader and his top team were branded 'f***ing mad' by one of his own backbenchers after he agreed to a December vote, saying he would be 'going out there to win'. He will order his party to back a rushed plan for a vote on or near December 9 later today, less than 24 hours after he told them to abstain on plans for a December 12 election. It puts him on a collision path with backbenchers who see the party languishing in the polls and fear that he is leading them to a disaster. The MP told MailOnline: 'They are f***ing mad. They think they are on the brink of a brave new Socialist dawn.' They added that the decision was 'proof that turkeys vote for Christmas'. Advertisement

Damian Green, leader of the One Nation group of Tory MPs, urged Mr Johnson to press on with trying to get the withdrawal agreement through Parliament rather than gambling with an election. Mr Green said: 'It's much better for us to have an election after the Withdrawal Agreement Bill is passed. Any other course of action is incredibly risky.'

Fellow Tory Matthew Offord warned an amendment to give 16- and 17-year-olds the vote was 'inevitable' as 'it's the only way Labour could save themselves'. The SNP, which last week described the idea of a December election as 'barking mad', has indicated it could now back an early poll.

However the party's Westminster leader Ian Blackford last night indicated that he would push for 16-year-olds to be given the vote – a red line for No 10.

Angus MacNeil, a senior SNP MP, warned against handing Mr Johnson a 'Christmas present'.

He said: 'We would be better having a referendum than an election, which can gift one side victory with 35 per cent of the vote. We have currently got him in a cage.

'He is going to be an escaped vulture fairly soon, when he will give you any Brexit, or a No Deal Brexit or anything you want and claim a mandate for it.'

Former Cabinet minister David Gauke, one of 21 Tory MPs suspended for opposing No Deal, also cautioned about a December election, saying: 'When someone opens the front door to a stranger in December they expect to be sung a carol, not asked how they are going to vote.'

Following last night's vote, Mr Corbyn said Labour would want to scrutinise whatever ministers put forward.

He said it had to be clear that the Government could not force through a No Deal Brexit against the wishes of Parliament. 'We look forward to a clear, definitive decision that no deal is absolutely off the table and there is no danger of this Prime Minister not sticking to his word because he has some form on these matters,' he added.

Miss Swinson said: 'If Boris Johnson wants a general election, then he could have supported our Bill for a general election on December 9.'

What day will an election be held? And what does this mean for Brexit now Jeremy Corbyn has FINALLY backed calls for a snap poll?

Jeremy Corbyn today finally gave his backing to a general election taking place before Christmas as all the major parties agreed a snap poll is the only way to break the Brexit deadlock.

Former Jeremy Corbyn challenger stepping down from Parliament Owen Smith, MP for Pontypridd, has written to Jeremy Corbyn this evening to telling him he will not be standing in the upcoming December 12. Mr Smith - who was one of 20 MPs voted against an early election this evening - previously challenged Mr Corbyn for the Labour leadership in 2017, but was easily bested. In his letter, which he posted on social media, he said it has 'been an enormous privilege to serve as a Labour MP' and he is 'truly proud to have represented my hometown of Pontypridd.' He added: 'I would also like all of my constituents to know that it has been a great honour for me to serve as their Member of Parliament.' Advertisement

Boris Johnson tried and failed to force an early election for the third time yesterday as Labour blocked the Prime Minister's plans.

But less than 24 hours later Mr Corbyn performed a screeching U-turn as he said his pre-conditions for supporting an election had now been met.

However, while the Tories, Labour, Liberal Democrats and SNP are now united in saying they want there to be an election there is still a major row rumbling over precisely when the nation should go to the polls.

Mr Johnson has suggested an election date of December 12 while Jo Swinson's Liberal Democrats and the SNP want December 9.

Labour is yet to formally commit to a specific date but it is thought it is unlikely that Mr Corbyn will support Mr Johnson's proposed way forward.

Mr Johnson will ask MPs to vote for an election for the fourth time this afternoon with the debate in the House of Commons likely to be dominated by wrangling over the date.

Agreeing a polling day is now the only hurdle to the first December general election since 1923.

Below are all the answers to all the key questions as the UK prepares for its third general election in five years.

Jeremy Corbyn, pictured leaving his London home today, told the shadow cabinet this morning that Labour will now support an early election

What day will a general election be held and what is happening today?

A short piece of legislation is being put before MPs this afternoon that would trigger an election on December 12 - although the date is still being argued over.

Mr Johnson has already met the main demands of the SNP and Lib Dems by accepting that his Brexit deal will be shelved until after an election.

However, the smaller parties want the date to be December 9.

They are concerned that leaving it later would mean many university students have gone home - and might not be registered in the right place to vote.

They are also nervous that Mr Johnson might do a U-turn and decide to try to bring back the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

A Number 10 source floated a compromise this morning as they suggested a possible date of December 11.

But ministers have said the earlier timetable is not possible because the election bill would have had to have gone through both the Commons and the House of Lords and received royal assent by the end of Thursday - an incredibly tight turnaround.

What does this mean for Brexit?

The EU yesterday granted the UK a three month delay, making time for an election to take place.

If MPs vote today for a snap poll then the Brexit process will effectively be paused until a new batch of MPs has been elected.

If Mr Johnson wins a majority at the election he will proceed with his Brexit deal. If Mr Corbyn wins a majority he would hold a second referendum.

If Ms Swinson wins a majority she would revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit.

What has Jeremy Corbyn said today and why has he changed his mind?

Yesterday Mr Corbyn outlined his opposition to a poll on December 12 as he said that 'in parts of the country it will be dark before 4pm' while 'many students will have just finished their terms and gone home for Christmas'.

But he hinted the party could sign up to a slightly earlier date of December 9. He then instructed Labour MPs to abstain on a vote calling for an election on December 12.

Mr Johnson needed to win the support of two thirds of MPs to succeed - 434 - but he only secured the backing of 299.

Mr Corbyn then changed his mind this morning as he told the shadow cabinet that Labour would now support an election on the basis that a No Deal Brexit had been ruled out for the next three months.

He said: 'I have consistently said that we are ready for an election and our support is subject to a No Deal Brexit being off the table.

'We have now heard from the EU that the extension of Article 50 to 31st January has been confirmed, so for the next three months, our condition of taking No Deal off the table has now been met.

'We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen.'

So is a general election definitely going to happen before Christmas?

Assuming that the four main parties can agree a date today then the answer is yes.

It would be astonishing if the Tories, Labour, Lib Dems and SNP all agree that they want an election only for the poll to fall apart due to a disagreement over a few days.

However, given the volatility of British politics and the levels of distrust between the parties it is possible.

Would the three extra days between December 9 and December 12 actually make much difference?

In the grand scheme of things, no. But there is some suggestion the Lib Dems and Labour would prefer an earlier poll because more students would be at university, potentially handing the opposition parties an advantage.

However many major universities finish for Christmas on Friday, December 13.

Ms Swinson is also concerned Mr Johnson could try to bring his Brexit Bill back and rush it through before polling day. But that was effectively ruled out by No 10.

Does Boris Johnson need the support of two thirds of MPs to trigger the election today?

No. The government's three previous failed attempts to force an election were tabled under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.

That law dictates that those kinds of motions must secure the backing of two thirds of MPs to succeed.

But today the government is seeking support for a draft bill. Votes on legislation only require a simple majority to succeed.

Could amendments derail the election push?

The government has tried to make the election bill watertight to prevent MPs trying to add on proposals or requirements that could derail the legislation - like votes at 16.

Assuming the government's tight drafting has been successful amendments are unlikely to be allowed.

What happened in the Commons last night?

MPs voted by 299 votes to 70 in favour of a general election on December 12, but failed to deliver the two thirds majority required under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.

Labour abstained after Mr Corbyn issued a rambling explanation of why he was opposed to an election – including that it would be 'too dark'. Mr Johnson accused him of 'running away from the judgment of the people'.

What is Number 10's view of all of this?

Downing Street sources suggested that the Prime Minister might be prepared to compromise, by suggesting a 'range' of dates were possible between December 9 and 12.

But a decision has to be made quickly. If the early election bill doesn't get through the Commons today then the pre-Christmas election is effectively off.

Ministers cannot go any later than December 12 because they risk running into the Christmas period.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill has warned that December 12 is the latest possible date or the election would mean turfing pantomimes, parties and nativity plays out of village halls and schools used as polling stations.

What about the Brexit Withdrawal Bill?

No 10 says the legislation to take Britain out of the European Union is dead until after the election.

Sources suggested the Prime Minister would have been prepared to bring the Bill back this week if Labour pro-leave MPs agreed to back it through the Commons. Those assurances were not forthcoming.