Boris Johnson news - live: Election to be held on 12 December after plans to give vote to EU citizens and 16-year-olds dismissed

Pre-Christmas election moves one step closer

We’ve moved another significant step closer to that winter general election after the Lib Dems said they would be willing to compromise with Boris Johnson over the date.

MP Chuka Umunna has said the party would now consider an election date “earlier in the week” after Boris Johnson proposed 12 December.

And a No 10 official has said the government could accept an amendment to its bill for a general election on 11 December instead.

Our deputy political editor has the details.

People’s Vote campaign row rumbles on

Staff at the People’s Vote for a second referendum have told its chairman it is “utterly absurd” that he has started a row about how the campaign is run.

In a letter sent on Monday night, 40 members of staff told Roland Rudd that his behaviour over recent weeks has been “extremely disappointing and deeply counter-productive”.

Staff said the head of communications Tom Baldwin and director James McGrory have their “full and continuing support”, hailing the pair as “crucial” to the success of the campaign.

They wrote in the letter to Rudd: “It is utterly absurd that at this critical time for our country, you have started an argument about how our campaign is run.

“We do not want a public argument, we simply want to get back to work, delivering the People’s Vote that our country so desperately needs … This campaign has always been about trusting the people, if you want us to succeed, you must trust us now.”

Staff said they were promised a meeting at the Milbank office this morning that has yet to happen.

Margaret Hodge re-selected by local Labour party

Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge was re-selected by her local Labour Party to run for the seat of Barking last night.

A fierce critic of the party leader’s, Dame Margaret had called Jeremy Corbyn an “antisemite” and “racist”. Activists in Barking had forced a vote to be given the choice of selecting a new candidate.

Government sends out 12 December election bill

The government has sent its short bill to bypass the Fixed Term Parliaments Act out to Conservative MPs. A No 10 source earlier indicated that the government could accept an amendment to its bill for a general election on 11 December instead.

Labour ready to back pre-Christmas election?

Are we off to the races at last? The BBC’s Iain Watson says the Labour leadership has decided to go for it, following a shadow cabinet meeting this morning. But will reluctant Labour MPs play ball?

BREAKING: Jeremy Corbyn backs December general election

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is set to back an early general election after telling his shadow cabinet that the party’s condition of taking a no-deal Brexit “off the table” has been met.

Labour whips will make sure MPs back December vote

It looks like Labour want to get the election agreed today. According to Sky News’ Lewis Goodall, there’s a three-line whip to make sure MPs back the December vote, regardless of whether it’s a 9 December, 11 December or 12 December poll.

Momentum says election ‘opportunity of a lifetime’

The Labour campaign group Momentum has responded to the big news.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime to put an end to the shambolic mess the Tories have made and return hope to millions.”

Labour will push to get 16 year-olds and EU nationals the vote

We’re not yet at the set-in-stone stage for the pre-Christmas general election. Labour is understood to back a change to the proposed date which, if such an amendment is selected by the Speaker, could be backed by the Lib Dems and the SNP.

Labour is also expected to support amendments to the bill – giving 16 year-olds and EU nationals getting the vote. While they aren’t expected to be red lines, it could put the Lib Dems and the SNP in an awkward position if they vote against them.

Labour’s mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that “if there is to be a general election first, then those whose future is most affected must be given a say - including 16 and 17 year olds and EU citizens living in the UK.”

Jeremy Corbyn: ‘It’s time’