5-Week Election Campaign Period Begins As UK Parliament Is Dissolved

The UK parliament was dissolved earlier on Wednesday to allow members of Parliament Campaign in the forthcoming general election.

Boris Johnson will see the Queen at Buckingham Palace later to mark the start of the election period in the run-up to the 12 December poll.

The Conservatives will also launch their campaign, with Mr Johnson promising he can “get Brexit done”.

Meanwhile, in a speech Jeremy Corbyn will pledge “real change” under Labour.

Parliament was dissolved – or formally shut down – at just after midnight, meaning all MPs revert to being members of the public. Government ministers keep their posts, however.

The dissolution ended the shortest parliamentary session in just over 70 years, with the Commons having met for only 19 days since the state opening on 14 October.