General election: December poll more likely as amendments on extending vote to 16-year-olds and EU nationals not chosen

Pre-Christmas vote now looks almost certain, with backing from both Conservatives and Labour

A pre-Christmas general election has come a big step closer after amendments to give the vote to 16-year-olds and EU nationals were not selected for debate by the House of Commons deputy speaker.

Prime minister Boris Johnson had indicated that he would pull his proposal for a 12 December election if the changes to the franchise were approved by MPs.

Deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle’s confirmation that the key amendments would not be put to a vote has cleared the way for a public vote, which is backed by both Conservatives and Labour.

The bill paving the way for the ballot passed its second reading in the Commons without a vote, but must still complete its final stages in the Lower House and pass through the Lords before the election is formally triggered.

Downing Street indicated that if Conservatives win the election, they will ratify Mr Johnson’s plan to leave the EU by early in the New Year.

Under the terms of the extension offered by the European Union, this would mean Brexit taking place at the end of January 2020.