Legislation for a UK general election on December 12 has cleared the House of Commons, with MPs voting in favour of the move by 438 to 20.

The legislation now needs to pass the House of Lords, but after being approved by MPs it is unlikely that it will be held up by the unelected upper chamber.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he was prepared for a tough election fight in the weeks ahead.

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

“It’ll be a tough election and we are going to do the best we can.”

UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “This election is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our country and take on the vested interests holding people back.”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The SNP is ready for an election. 

“We stand ready to take the fight to the Tories, to bring down this undemocratic government, and give Scotland the chance to escape from Brexit and decide our own future.

“Scotland has been ignored and treated with contempt by Westminster, and this election is an opportunity to bring that to an end.

“A win for the SNP will be an unequivocal and irresistible demand for Scotland’s right to choose our own future.”

UK Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson said: “This general election will decide the future of our country for generations. 

“It is our best chance to elect a Government to stop Brexit.

“The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party of Remain and will be standing on a manifesto to stop Brexit by revoking Article 50.

“This country deserves better than Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, and I am excited to take our positive, pro-European, liberal vision to the country as the Liberal Democrat candidate for prime minister.”