Holborn and St Pancras · Thursday 8 October
What you're voting for.
The single biggest source of confusion in politics is crediting or blaming people for things their job doesn't control. Thirty seconds on what this one does.
You're voting for
Your Member of Parliament
One MP represents this constituency in the House of Commons. They vote on national laws, taxes and budgets, and take up constituents' problems with government bodies. Here, for Holborn and St Pancras.
What this office decides
- Tax and benefits. Income tax, National Insurance, Universal Credit and pensions are set by Parliament.
- The NHS. Its budget and the law it runs under, in England.
- Immigration and borders. Who may come, stay and work.
- Crime and justice. Criminal law and sentencing.
- Defence and foreign affairs. Armed forces, treaties, aid.
- National housing law. Renting rules, planning law, building targets.
What it does not
- Bin collections. Your council.
- Local planning decisions. Your council's planning committee.
- Council tax levels. Your council.
- Local road repairs. Your council or the county.
- Devolved matters. In Scotland and Wales, health and education are decided there.
How this vote is counted: first past the post. One cross; the candidate with the most votes wins.Worked example
Every ballot with one cross is counted for that candidate. The one with the most votes wins, even without a majority. Example: A 4,000, B 3,900, C 2,100. A wins with 40% of the vote; the 60% cast for others elect nobody. There are no second preferences; a vote for a candidate who does not win has no further effect.
Key datesPolling day in 17 days · register deadline tomorrowRegister by Tue 22 SeptPostal vote by Wed 23 Sept 5pmProxy vote by Wed 30 Sept 5pmFree voter ID by Wed 30 Sept 5pmPolls 7am to 10pm · photo ID needed
about these dates
- Calculated from the statutory election timetable (working days before polling day).
- Confirm against the council's official notice.