Swinson sets out plan for December 9th General Election

Today (27th October) the Liberal Democrats announced they will propose a Bill to amend the Fixed Term Parliament Act to hold a General Election on Monday December 9th.

The plan, which is backed by the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, would amend the Fixed Term Parliament Act to set the date of the next General Election, with Parliament being dissolved on Thursday following its passage this week.

As this is a simple Bill, it would require only a simple majority, as opposed to the two thirds majority required under the normal FTPA legislation.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson said:

"Boris Johnson has missed his 'do-or-die' deadline and is now asking Parliament to give him a General Election and time for him to ram through his Brexit Bill through Parliament. That is a bad deal, and Liberal Democrats will not vote for it.

"We need to get Boris Johnson out of office, unlock the gridlock in Parliament and give people the chance to vote to stay in the EU. A general election on our proposed timetable would take no-deal off the table, and give the public the chance to elect a Liberal Democrat Government who will revoke Article 50 or increase the number of MPs who support a People's Vote.

"The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party of Remain and have led the campaign to stay in the EU for the last three years." Our parlimenatry candidate, Ellen Nicholson said 'its time that people in South West Wiltshire have a real choice about whether they want to continue with their current Brexit facilitating MP and decades more uncertainity as new deals are negotiated or whether they make a different choice and decide using current evidence that remaining in the European Union is a better choice. Either way a general election will ensure Liberal Democats highlight the truly appalling record this government have shown in office, systematically underfunding our NHS, Education system and Police forces.