It is set to be the first December election since 1923 and will be dominated by debate over the UK’s departure from the EU . Which is what they said LAST TIME, IN 2017. Just Sayin…

Boris Johnson addressed Tory MPs in parliament immediately after MPs approved his call for a ballot.

Speaking afterwards, the prime minister admitted it would be a “tough election”.

“It’s time for the country to come together, get Brexit done and go forward,” he said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – who had withheld his party’s support for Mr Johnson’s repeated call for an election until today – claimed the looming ballot would be a “once-in-a-generation chance to transform our country”.

He promised the “most ambitious and radical campaign for real change that our country has ever seen”.

Mr Johnson and Mr Corbyn will face each other at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, as a likely precursor to their election sparring.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson claimed the election would be the “best chance to elect a government to stop Brexit”. She revealed talks over the Lib Dems forging an election alliance with fellow Remain-backing parties, Plaid Cyrmu and the Green Party, will be “accelerated” ahead of polling day.

Tuesday’s vote was Boris Johnson’s fourth attempt to take the UK to the polls since he became prime minister three months ago.

He finally won the support of opposition parties for an early election after making a reluctant request to the EU for a three-month delay to Brexit, to 31 January.

Eleven Labour MPs, one SNP MP, one Green MP and three Independent Group for Change MPs were among the 20 to vote against an election.

Mr Corbyn expressed concerns about whether students would have already finished their term and gone home by 12 December, which he claimed could leave them disenfranchised if they are registered to vote at their university address.

MPs opposed the Labour leader’s bid to change the election date to December 9th by 315 votes to 295.

European Council President Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday the EU had formally accepted the extension to the Article 50 negotiating period.

But he warned the UK’s latest extension “may be the last one”, adding: “Please make the best use of this time.”