United Kingdom
House of Commons
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.
Background
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Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
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12 Dec 2019
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Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
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06 Nov 2019
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Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
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Early elections
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Expected date of next elections
The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
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04 Jul 2024
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Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
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650
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Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
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Full renewal
Candidates
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Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
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68
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Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
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3,320
Notes: An estimated 2,194 men and 1,121 women stood for the 2019 elections. At least 5 candidates identified as non-binary or gender-neutral.
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Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
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2,194
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Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
View field in the data dictionary -
1,121
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Number of other candidates
Number of other candidates
View field in the data dictionary -
5
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Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
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33.8%
Results
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About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party regained the majority in early elections, the third general elections held in less than five years. It increased its share from 317 to 365 seats in the 650-member House of Commons. On the other hand, the Labour Party, led by Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, reduced its share of seats from 265 to 202. The Scottish National Party, led by Ms. Nicola Sturgeon, took a record 47 seats, up from 35. Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson lost her seat. A record 220 women were elected, up from 208 in 2017: Both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have more women MPs than men.
The 2019 snap elections followed parliamentary deadlock over Brexit (see note), which worsened after the 2017 snap elections when the Conservative Party lost its majority. Amid mounting criticism over the handling of Brexit, Prime Minister Theresa May (Conservative) resigned and was succeeded by Mr. Johnson in July 2019. He initially announced that the United Kingdom would leave the European Union (EU) by 31 October 2019 with or without a deal but the Government requested a new three-month extension from the EU in October. Following the ensuing parliamentary deadlock, the new Prime Minister called snap elections for 12 December. During the election campaign, the Conservative Party promised that it would leave the EU by 31 January 2020. The Labour Party promised to renegotiate Brexit and call a second referendum on the new deal. The Scottish National Party said it would support a second referendum, adding that Scotland would join the EU if it became independent. The Liberal Democrats pledged to cancel Brexit altogether.
Note:
A referendum on Brexit (from a merging of the words "Britain" and "exit") to decide whether the United Kingdom should leave or remain in the European Union was held in June 2016. Leave camps narrowly won the referendum. Brexit was initially due to happen on 29 March 2019, but the deadline was extended twice after Parliament rejected the deal negotiated by the then Prime Minister, Theresa May. Following the December 2019 elections, the United Kingdom left the EU on 31 January 2020.
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Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
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10
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Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
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14.7%
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Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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56.2%
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Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
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No
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Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
View field in the data dictionary -
1
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Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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Conservative Party
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group | Total |
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Conservative Party | 365 |
Labour Party | 202 |
Scottish National Party | 47 |
Liberal Democrats | 11 |
Democratic Unionist Party | 8 |
Sinn Féin | 7 |
Plaid Cymru | 4 |
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) | 2 |
Green Party | 1 |
Alliance Party | 1 |
Independents | 1 |
The Speaker | 1 |
Members elected, by sex
- Number of men elected
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430
- Number of women elected
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220
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Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected by the number of seats filled.
View field in the data dictionary -
33.8%
- Women Directly Elected
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220
- Other notes on the elections
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- Sources
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British IPU Group (16.12.2019);
BRIEFING PAPER Number CBP 8749, 28 January 2020, General Election 2019: results and analysis Second edition;
BBC;
CNN
New legislature
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Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
View field in the data dictionary -
430
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Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
View field in the data dictionary -
220
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Percentage of women after the election
The percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of women in this parliament/chamber by the current number of members.
View field in the data dictionary -
33.8%
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First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
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140
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Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of first-term parliamentarians by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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21.5%
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Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
View field in the data dictionary -
17 Dec 2019
First Speaker of the new legislature
- Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
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Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Male)
Date of birth: 10 Jun 1957 -
Date of election
The date of the election of the Speaker may be different from the date of the first session of the new legislature.
View field in the data dictionary -
17 Dec 2019