Numbers to know for Brexit elections

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World News

November 6, 2019 - 9:52 AM

Prime Minister Boris Johnson pins a poppy to his jacket after purchasing it from The Royal British Legion Downing Street on Oct. 29. LONDON NEWS PICTURES VIA ZUMA WIRE/GEORGE CRACKNELL WRIGHT/TNS

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s five-week election campaign officially began today, when Parliament was dissolved ahead of the Dec. 12 vote. Here’s a look at some key numbers in an election that could determine not only who governs Britain, but when, how — or even whether — the country leaves the European Union:

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46 million: The number of eligible voters in the U.K.

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650: The number of seats in the House of Commons, all up for grabs in the election. Any party that wins a majority — or becomes the largest party, even without a majority — can form a government, with its leader as prime minister.

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298: The number of seats held before the election by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s ruling Conservatives — more than 20 short of a majority. The government’s lack of a majority meant it struggled to pass key measures needed for Britain to leave the European Union.

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