2019 general election news
The 2019 United Kingdom general election was held on December 12, 2019. Here are some key news stories and results from the election:
Background
The election was called by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party, who had been seeking to gain a majority in the House of Commons to pass their Brexit deal. The election was the third general election held in the UK in four years, following the 2017 and 2019 local elections.
Campaign
The campaign was marked by controversy and division, with many parties and candidates criticizing each other's policies and tactics. The Conservative Party focused on their Brexit deal and promises to improve the NHS, while the Labour Party campaigned on a platform of increasing public spending and nationalizing key industries.
Results
The results of the election were as follows:
- Conservative Party: 365 seats (43.6% of the vote)
- Labour Party: 203 seats (32.2% of the vote)
- Liberal Democrats: 11 seats (11.6% of the vote)
- Scottish National Party (SNP): 48 seats (3.1% of the vote)
- Brexit Party: 0 seats (2.1% of the vote)
- Other parties: 13 seats (6.4% of the vote)
Key moments
- The election saw a significant swing to the Conservative Party, with many Labour-held seats being won by the Conservatives.
- The Liberal Democrats suffered a significant defeat, losing many of their seats to the Conservatives.
- The SNP made gains in Scotland, winning 48 seats and increasing their share of the vote.
- The Brexit Party failed to win any seats, despite polling well in some areas.
- The election saw a high turnout, with over 67% of eligible voters casting their ballots.
Aftermath
The election result gave the Conservative Party a majority in the House of Commons, allowing Boris Johnson to pass his Brexit deal through Parliament. The election also led to a significant shift in the balance of power in the UK, with the Conservative Party now holding a majority of seats in the House of Commons.
Reactions
- Boris Johnson: "This is a fantastic result for this one-nation Conservative Team. We will work tirelessly to deliver Brexit and build a country that works for everyone."
- Jeremy Corbyn: "We will do everything we can to hold the government to account and to ensure that the interests of the many, not the few, are represented in Parliament."
- Jo Swinson: "I'm deeply disappointed that the Liberal Democrats have not been able to make more progress in this election. We will continue to fight for a better future for our country."
Overall, the 2019 general election was a significant event in UK politics, with the Conservative Party winning a majority and Boris Johnson becoming the first Conservative prime minister to win a majority since 1987.