Boris Johnson looks set to secure a pre-Christmas general election as MPs prepare to vote on a bill paving the way for a December poll.
The prime minister avoided a potential obstacle when the House of Commons deputy speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, refused to allow votes on Labour amendments calling for the vote to be given to EU citizens and 16- and 17-year olds.
The government had said it would pull the bill if either of the amendments passed. Earlier, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would back an early election after its condition that a no-deal Brexit be taken “off the table” was met.