<page_title> 1979 United Kingdom general election </page_title> <section_title> Timeline </section_title> <table> <cell> Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins; 2,576 candidates enter to contest 635 seats </cell> <cell> Thursday 3 May </cell> <cell> Polling day </cell> </table>
The 1979 United Kingdom general election was held on 3 May 1979 to elect 635 members.