Yahoo News UK general election candidates 2019: Who is standing in my constituency?
Politicians from all sides of the debate are ramping up their campaigning ahead of the snap general election in December.
The UK is heading for its first winter election in nearly a century after MPs backed Boris Johnson's call for a snap poll earlier this year.
With Parliament dissolved, leaders from the main parties have now launched their campaigns with manifestos expected to be released in the coming days.
So as MPs ready themselves 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 14: 4pm 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.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, November 15. There are 650 constituencies across the UK.
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 1/16 to win the most seats.
Labour is lagging behind at 14/1, while the Lib Dems have seen their odds lengthen massively and are now listed at 100/1. Meanwhile, the bookies have priced the Brexit Party's chances of winning the most seats at 250/1.
Meanwhile the latest Britain Elects poll shows the Tory's lead over labour has grown from 38 percent of the vote on November 2 to 39 percent by November 11.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats remain the same at 31 per cent and 15 per cent respectively. However, the Brexit Party's share has fallen from 9 per cent to 8 per cent.
