General election 2019

A snap general election has been called, set to take place on 12 December 2019.

Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, the next election had been set for 2022. However, the government proposed an early election following parliament’s rejection of its timetable for passing the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, and on 30 October the Early Parliamentary General Election Bill was passed.

The prime minister, Boris Johnson, argued that an early election was needed to break parliamentary deadlock over Brexit. The leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, supported the motion after an extension to the date for the UK’s EU exit was granted up until 31 January, so taking away the immediate threat of no deal on 31 October. The Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party abstained. All but one of the independent MPs (who had either left their parties, or had the Whip removed by voting against them) also abstained on the vote.  

NHS Providers will be seeking to engage with the main political parties in the run up to polling day, as well as supporting members during the pre-election period, including through briefing on the main parties' manifestos, and the key outcomes and appointments after the election.

 

Resources


Video resources

Manifesto launch

To build a 21st century NHS, we need the right number of people with the right skills in the right places equipped with the modern facilities and technologies. On 11 November we announced the launch of our general election manifesto - Saffron Cordery, NHS Providers deputy chief executive, discusses our priorities for any incoming government and outlines the NHS' priorities. 

Health and social care commitments

Kerry Racher, NHS Providers public affairs advisor, discusses our new briefing which provides details of the health and social care commitments made by the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties in their manifestos, and sets out our view.

Podcast: social care

Adam Brimelow, NHS Providers director of communications, speaks to Miriam Deakin, NHS Providers director of policy and strategy, about why social care is such a crucial issue for the NHS.