Election Timetable

The Key Dates are

Last PMQs - Wed 7th April
Dissolution - Mon 12th April
First Leaders Debate - Thu 15th April 8.30pm to 10pm
Second Leaders Debate - Thu 22 April 8pm to 9.30pm
Third Leaders Debate - Thu 29 April 8.30pm to 10pm

Last Day to Register to Vote/Nominate Candidates - Tues 20th April - SIGNIFICANCE - details of candidates nominated should be available from 5pm

ELECTION DAY - Thu 6th May
Results - should come through the night and following day

New Parliament meets- Tues 18th May - SIGNIFICANCE - date from which 5 year clock runs

Queen's Speech - ??25th/26th May?? - SIGNIFICANCE - debate on programme of the then Prime Minister

Vote on Queen's Speech - ??first or second week of June?? - SIGNIFICANCE - could be vote of confidence - which might lead to fall of government.

Announcement

Gordon Brown has now announced the election - surrounded by his cabinet outside the entrance to No. 10.

10.47

Brown on way to Palace

UK news channels now showing Brown on way to Palace - can hear helicopters flying above!

10:02

Mid Morning Update

Direct from Westminster...

Very busy in the Palace of Westminster - can hear the helicopters buzzing around the area - a sign that things are happening.

Press reporting that Cabinet Meeting underway - with Brown expected to go to Buckingham Palace within the hour. Also reported that the Queen has returned to Buckingham Palace from Windsor Castle. (helicopter landing now)

Hansard Society has published booklet on hung parliament, available to download here.

May 6th

The media is reporting that this morning the Prime Minister will ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament. Upon his return he will make a formal announcement that the election will be held on May 6th. Parliament will return from the Easter Recess, and will enter the "washup". A copy of the interesting and informative Standard Note (House of Commons Library) is available here.

Once work has been completed, Parliament will be prorogued (as happens at the end of every (annual) session. It will then de dissolved by Royal Proclamation.

Statistics on the electorate are available here.