If MPs vote for an election on 12 December it'll be held on a Thursday as is traditional. But why does the UK always head to the ballot box on Thursdays?

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The 11 former Tory MPs who remain expelled from the party could still be given back the whip, BBC chief political correspondent Vicki Young says.

A group of 21 Conservative MPs had the whip withdrawn in September after they voted against the government, but earlier this evening it emerged the prime minister had met 10 of them to offer them a route back into the party.

They all accepted, says the BBC correspondent.

And she has been told the remaining 10 expelled Tory MPs could still be welcomed back into the party.

"They are not ruling out there's no way back," she says.

"I think it will be welcome news."

House of Commons
Parliament

Tory MP Nigel Evans raises the rumour that the government has conceded to allow an election to take place on 9 December, rather than its preferred date of 12 December.

He says it will be "constructive to be told" if this is the case as it will "influence the contributions" to the debate.

But fellow Tory MP and chairman of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, Steve Baker, tells the Commons he "popped out" to ask an "authoritative source" about it.

"I understand the government has not given way on the date," he tells his colleagues.

"But who knows what discussions are going on."

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative MP Tim Loughton intervenes in the debate to say schools should not be used as polling stations for the next election.

"Frankly, we should not be interfering with children's education," he says.

"In my constituency some years ago we gave up using schools and found alternatives."

And where do his consituents go to vote now?

"The most popular polling station we now use is in a pub," says Mr Loughton. "There are alternatives that don't deny children their education."

His fellow Tory backbencher, Michael Tomlinson, agrees.

He says: "The pub is the hub and why shouldn't it be used for a polling stations?

"I often hold my surgeries in different polling stations around the constituency and it would seem to me a perfectly reasonable place to have them."

So with an election on the cards, how popular are the political parties?

Over the last few weeks the Conservatives' position in the polls has gradual strengthened.

In the latest poll by Opinium they hit 40% - the highest figure in a single poll since the middle of August.

Meanwhile, Labour's average rating has essentially stayed flat.

Read more about how the parties are polling from BBC senior political analyst Peter Barnes.

A general election is looking increasingly likely in the run-up to Christmas.

Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or above on polling day has a vote. You have to be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, external or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland.

You can register to vote at any time if you are 17 - or 15 in Scotland. You need to register at least 12 working days before an election.

You can register on the government's website., externalThe service is also available in Welsh., externalYou will need your National Insurance number,, external date of birth and address. The process takes about five minutes.

Read more about on how to register to vote and other questions.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative MP Andrew Percy tells the Commons the "tone" of the election campaign is going to be important.

"We have heard a lot of attacks on the prime minister in the last few days in the chamber," he says.

"We will see more of that in this election campaign."

But Mr Percy then reflects on his own experience.

"The 2017 election campaign was the worst election I have ever been involved in when it comes to behaviour - and I have fought eight," he adds.

Pointing at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, he says: "I hope he will reflect on the words he uses in this election.

"Because in his name, my staff were spat at. I was attacked in the street by people chanting his name at me on his behalf because of the divisive language he has consistently used.

"I take him at his word that during this election he will encourage his supporters and party members [towards] better behaviour."

BBC Newsnight's political editor tweets that the prime minister has restored the Conservative whip to 10 of the 21 Tory rebels who were expelled from the party in September after they voted against the government.

The prime minister met the 10 MPs in his House of Commons office this afternoon.

It is expected that those who stand for election would support Mr Johnson's Brexit deal if they are re-elected and if he returns to office.

House of Commons
Parliament

Tory MP Sir Hugo Swire says the past three years has not been Parliament "at its best".

Sir Hugo - who is standing down at the next election - says the Commons had been like "groundhog day" and the public are "fed up with our behaviour".

He adds: "I have never known such a disconnect between the body politic and the public."

And he warns any MP who tries to stop an election taking place, they will be "viewed extremely badly" by the electorate.