#GE19: What might happen next?

Now that the first December General Election since 1923 has been completed, we look ahead to what could happen over the coming days.

• 13^th December – Election results will be announced throughout the country
• 14^th / 15^th December – If a party emerges with a clear majority, the leader will enter Downing Street to begin to appoint their Cabinet.  If there is a ‘hung Parliament’ or need for another Confidence and Supply Agreement, party negotiations will begin
• 17^th December – Parliament will meet for the ‘swearing in’ of MPs and the election of a Speaker
• 18^th December – ‘Swearing in’ continue
• 19^th December – State Opening of Parliament, and Queen’s Speech to set out the legislative agenda

Depending on the outcome of the election, there are a number of possibilities for the timetable.

If Conservative’s win majority;

• 20^th December – Brexit ‘deal’ approval bill introduced with rapid timetable (Government may try to push it through Parliament in one day)
• Date tbc in early January – European Parliament votes on whether to approve UK/EU deal
• 31^st January (or before) – UK exits the EU
• 1^st February – transition period begins and UK seeks to negotiate an FTA

 If Labour (or Labour led, in coalition) Government;

• 19^th December – could be State Opening, but if a ‘coalition’ government of some sort, they may not be ready.  
• 20^th December –  would be likely to go into recess
• Week commencing 6^th January – introduce legislation for a 2^nd Referendum on EU membership

Locally we will know the outcomes of the results in the early hours of 13^th December, but with the polls showing the Conservative lead narrowing, and the real possibility of a ‘hung Parliament’, it will be interesting to watch how it all plays out.  Could we see another 2017 result, with everything to play for after the seats have been won?