British MPs voted to back Dec 12 general election

MPs in the UK have voted to hold an election on Dec 12 following months of deadlock over Brexit.

By a margin of 438 votes to 20, the House of Commons on Tuesday approved legislation paving the way for the first December election since 1923.

MPs had previously thwarted calls for an early election on three occasions, but Jeremy Corbyn had signalled Labour's support earlier in the day.

Efforts by opposition MPs to lower the voting age to 16 and allow EU nationals to take part in the election failed.

The bill will now move to the House of Lords, where it is not expected to encounter significant opposition. It could then receive Royal Assent by the end of the week, meaning it has passed into law. If the bill is passed unchanged, Parliament will be dissolved on Nov 6 ahead of what is set to be a five-week election campaign.