Home NEWS General election news – live: Polls open in third general election in five years as voters face ‘truly historic’ choice

General election news – live: Polls open in third general election in five years as voters face ‘truly historic’ choice

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General election news – live: Polls open in third general election in five years as voters face ‘truly historic’ choice

Voting has started in the first December election for almost a century, with the political future of both Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn hanging in the balance. 

Polling stations will be open across the UK until 10pm in the third general election since 2015 and the results are expected in the early hours of Friday. 

An exit poll will also be unveiled at the close of polls – providing the first indication of the result of the 2019 election.

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2019-12-12T07:49:20.013Z

Eve of election poll makes election outcome uncertain 

An eve-of-election poll by BMG Research for The Independent has put Conservatives on 41 per cent, Labour on 32 and Liberal Democrats on 14, pointing towards a small overall majority for Boris Johnson’s party but leaving open the possibility of a hung parliament.

The survey of more than 1,600 voters, conducted between 6 and 11 December, found headline voting figures unchanged from a similar poll last week.

If repeated on 12 December, they point to a Johnson majority of around 25-30 in the House of Commons, freeing the prime minister to press ahead with taking the UK out of the EU on 31 January.


2019-12-12T07:42:04.473Z

Brexit will be ‘decided’ if voters back Conservatives, says Boris Johnson

In his own final message to voters, Boris Johnson told a rally that the country can enjoy Christmas dinner knowing Brexit is “decided” if voters elect a majority Conservative government.

But he warned that the general election remains on a “knife edge”, adding: “Today is our chance to unite as a country and put the uncertainty to bed so people can get on with their lives.

“Just imagine how wonderful it will be to settle down to a turkey dinner this Christmas with Brexit decided – and how awful it would be if Corbyn and Sturgeon were in Downing Street advancing their plans for two more referendums.

“Let’s stop the chaos and stop the referendums. We can secure a majority Conservative government if we win just nine more seats.”

The former London mayor said he had a “simple message” for voters – including those who had never ticked the box next to a Tory candidate’s name on the ballot paper before.

“Give me a majority and I will finish what we started – what you instructed us to do – three and a half years ago,” he said.


2019-12-12T07:34:42.883Z

Corbyn says voters face ‘truly historic’ choice 

In his final rally of the election campaign, Jeremy Corbyn called on voters to “shock the establishment”, as he stressed a “truly historic” choice for undecided voters.

Mr Corbyn said the nation stands at a “fork in the road” between a “hopeful society” and Boris Johnson’s Tories who he accuses of planning to “open our NHS to takeover by American mega corporations” and enact further cuts.

The comments came at a rally in London at the end of Mr Corbyn’s whirlwind tour of marginal seats from Glasgow to Bedford. “We stand at a fork in the road. The choice facing you, the people of this country, tomorrow is truly historic,” he told party members.

“Boris Johnson won’t just keep everything the same, he will make it worse. He will open our NHS to takeover by American mega corporations and carry on with more cuts.

“That’s why Donald Trump wants Boris Johnson’s Conservatives to win.”

Mr Corbyn added that he has been made “more determined” by years of “media attacks” which he describes as “relentless”.

“They are determined to stop real change. They won’t win, we will to create an inclusive and hopeful society.”


2019-12-12T07:23:20.643Z

Polling booths have opened across Britain as voters head to ballot boxes to cast their votes in what has been billed as the most important general election in a generation.

Boris Johnson, who gambled his premiership by triggering the vote, has sought to focus on his pledge to “get Brexit done” throughout the campaign.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, his rival in the race to Number 10, has instead tried to highlight his party’s credentials on the health service and other domestic issues.

The polls have narrowed in the final week of what has largely been a tame campaign – with few gaffes and many stage-managed visits.

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