2019 United Kingdom general election
Thursday, December 12th.
Election system
Cycle: Every 5 years. (This election is early after only 2 years, and approved by at least 2/3 of Parliament).
Method: first-past-the-post. At a general or local election, voters put a cross (X) next to their preferred candidate on a ballot paper. Ballot papers are counted. The candidate with the most votes represents the constituency or ward.
650 constituencies are represented in the House of Commons. The number is to be reduced to 600, but the change has not yet been approved by Parliament.
Voting population: Age 18+ on election day, and in the Electoral Register. Some 45.8 million are registered to vote. Across the United Kingdom, there are 3,415 candidates representing 68 political parties, including 206 independent candidates.
Table of significant parties
| Party | Associated ideology | Position | European Affiliation | Current MPs | Share of votes (2017) |
|---|
| Conservative Party | Conservatism, British unionism, Economic liberalism | Centre-right | European Conservatives and Reformists Party | 298 (317) | 42.4% |
| Labour Party | Social democracy, Democratic socialism | Centre-left | Party of European Socialists | 244 (262) | 40.0% |
