1. How does the election work?

 

Britain's parliament has 650 members. Any party that wins an outright¹ majority of 326 or more seats can form a government.

 

2. What if no party wins a Commons majority? 

 

The situation becomes more complex if no party has a majority of MPs. The largest single party could try to form a minority government, but this would involve difficulties with getting business done and could prove unworkable. It, or other parties, could try to form a coalition², with the result that their combined MPs provide a Commons majority. Or it could reach an informal agreement with another party not to vote against it when a "no-confidence" motion is tabled by the opposition³, enabling it to become a sustainable government.

 

3. How much does it cost to run an election?

 

The last UK general election, in 2010, cost £84.6m to administer (excluding the cost of postal⁴ delivery).

 

4. Why are elections held on Thursdays?

 

One theory about the Thursday origins is that people were not paid until Fridays and so holding polls on Thursdays ensured they were not too drunk to vote.

 

5. Does the Queen vote?

 

Queen Elizabeth cannot vote because she is part of the legislature. "As Head of State, The Queen must remain politically neutral, since her Government will be formed from whichever party can command a majority in the House of Commons," the monarchy⁵ site explains. Other royals can vote - and can even stand for election - but do not do so in order to maintain neutrality.

 

6. Can you tweet about voting?

 

The Electoral Commission warns against doing it inside the polling station, even if it's about your own vote. Elsewhere you are free to publicise your vote.

 

However, there are strict laws against revealing someone else's vote, including influencing whether they publish it themselves.

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