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As it happenedended

General election news - live: Labour and SNP attack Boris Johnson over cuts in final pre-election PMQs, hinting at possible campaign tactics

Follow all the latest developments

Adam Forrest,Lizzy Buchan
Wednesday 30 October 2019 19:15 GMT
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What to watch out for in a pre-Christmas election

Boris Johnson has said he is prepared for a “tough” election battle after MPs cleared the way for a 12 December poll. But some Tory MPs are nervous about the PM’s pre-Christmas election gamble, fearing Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party could take enough seats to deny them a majority.

It comes as leading EU law academic warns the UK will have only “three to four months” to avert a crash-out Brexit if Mr Johnson passes his deal after an election win, a leading academic has warned.

During the final prime minister's questions session before polling day, the SNP and Labour also criticised the Conservative government’s record on austerity and the NHS, hinting at possible campaign tactics at the election.

Nicky Morgan will not be on the ballot

Lots of MPs are choosing this election as a moment to step down - but few are current cabinet ministers.

Nicky Morgan, the current secretary of state for culture media and sport, has confirmed she will not be standing again citing strain on her family and abuse she has faced in her role as an MP.

Over the last 19 years she also served as Education secretary under David Cameron, and chair of the influential treasury select committee.

She joins the likes of Amber Rudd and Justine Greening as high profile moderate Tory voices step away from the party under the leadership of Boris Johnson.

Vincent Wood30 October 2019 19:43

More on Nicky Morgan's decision not to run again:

The announcement will come as a blow to Boris Johnson, given that Ms Morgan was one of the most high-profile Tory moderates in his government.

It follows a number of other "One Nation" Conservatives announcing that they are leaving parliament. Earlier on Wednesday, Amber Rudd, the former home secretary, said she would not be seeking re-election. 

Ms Morgan said she had "made the very difficult decision that I can't commit to another five-year term".

Vincent Wood30 October 2019 19:57

As the election ramps up, Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey has announced the platform will no longer accept political advertising.

In a lengthy thread on the social media site, Mr Dorsey said "We’ve made the decision to stop all political advertising on Twitter globally. We believe political message reach should be earned, not bought."

He added: "While internet advertising is incredibly powerful and very effective for commercial advertisers, that power brings significant risks to politics, where it can be used to influence votes to affect the lives of millions."

More below:

Vincent Wood30 October 2019 20:23

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