With all the talk of an early election, it's crucial to be clear on the possible timings. Here is a quick thread on the key points:
(1/7)
(1/7)
Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, parliament is dissolved on the 25th working day before election day. For a 12 December election, that's 7 November. So the latest day for a motion to dissolve by 2/3 majority is 6 November. (2/7)
One option being discussed is that the EU might give a 2-week extension with the option to go to 31 Jan if parliament fails to pass the deal bill and agrees an election instead. But there is very little time for all those steps: 6 Nov is Wednesday of the week after next. (3/7)
The alternative route under the FTPA is a vote of no confidence. But that is followed by 14 days to try to form a new government, then the 5 weeks for the election. The last day on which a VoNC could lead to an election on 12 December was two days ago. (4/7)
The final option is a bill overriding the FTPA and specifying an election date. Some suggest the 25-day rule could then be discarded. Yes, that's possible in theory. But it wd undermine the integrity of the election - first, because administration would be v stretched ... (5/7)
… and, second, because it would leave too little time for many postal voters, particularly those overseas. A fifth of voters now vote by post - far more than in previous elections that were conducted more quickly. (6/7)
When the 25-day rule was introduced, Constitution Minister and Tory MP Mark Harper said, 'The very limited time available for the postal vote process compromises effective participation in elections by certain types of voter, particularly overseas and service voters.' (7/7)
Many thanks to @DanielGover for pointing out that I failed to allow above for Scotland's St Andrew's Day public holiday (that didn't exist when I was growing up in Scotland, so I always forget it!). This means the last day for a 2/3 motion under the FTPA is actually 5 November.
