UK bill for early election clears first hurdle

LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers have approved in principle a bill author zing an early election in December, clearing its first parliamentary hurdle - though it still faces a wrangle over the exact date.

The House of Commons sent the bill calling for a December 12 election past the stage known as second reading without a formal vote.

That means it will now face further debate and an attempt by opposition lawmakers to move the date.

Opposition lawmakers want a December 9 election, partly out of from concern university students could have gone home for the winter holidays if it is held later.

Other amendments, which sought to extend the vote to 16- and 17-year-old and EU citizens, weren’t selected for a vote.

The bill is likely to be passed by the House of Commons on Tuesday evening and once the House of Lords has signed off on it, Britain will be heading into its first December election since 1923.

The European Council president says the Brexit extension granted to Britain might be the last one.

A day after he announced that the European Union agreed to delay Britain’s exit from the 28-nation bloc up to January 31, Donald Tusk said in a message to his “British friends” posted on Twitter on Tuesday that the extension “may be the last one. Please make the best use of this time.”

EU leaders have gathered several times to discuss new deadlines for Brexit, whose initial March 29 date has been pushed back three times.

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