Video
What happens when MPs seize control of the Brexit process?
A Brexit protester campaigning outside the Houses of Parliament. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire - Credit: PA
MPs have voted for an amendment enabling them to take control of Commons business and stage a series of 'indicative' votes on the way forward for Brexit.
• How will that work?
Under the plan put forward by Tory Sir Oliver Letwin, at 2pm on Wednesday normal proceedings in the House will stop and MPs will then consider a series of motions setting out alternatives to Theresa May's Brexit deal.
MPs with plans were given until the rise of the Commons on Tuesday to set them out so they can be included in the order paper on Wednesday.
Commons speaker John Bercow will decide which proposals will be put to a vote.
You may also want to watch:
• How long will that take?
Most Read
- 1 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 2 European parliament agrees to add British overseas territories to post-Brexit tax haven blacklist
- 3 Boris Johnson to visit Scotland this week in attempt to shore up the union
- 4 Telegraph columnist blames Angela Merkel for Brexit
- 5 Minister terminates interview after suggesting public's age and weight to blame for UK's high death toll
- 6 This picture of Boris Johnson on the phone to Joe Biden has caused a stir
- 7 Brussels to launch campaign teaching younger Britons about the EU
- 8 Brexiteer calls for UK to save Eurostar - by buying it and renaming it 'Britstar'
- 9 Petition launched to cancel 'festival of Brexit' event in 2022
- 10 Nigel Farage reminded of claim that 'acid test of Brexit' surrounds fishing after clip resurfaces
MPs will be presented with a ballot paper listing all the selected proposals and will vote 'aye' or 'noe' to whichever ones they choose.
There will be half an hour set aside for MPs to cast their votes, from just after 7pm.
The results will then be announced after around 9pm.
• Will MPs decide on what they want on Wednesday?
Probably not. Because they can vote for any of their preferred options a clear winner is unlikely to emerge.
A second round of voting has been pencilled in for April 1, when MPs will again take charge of the Commons agenda.
• Which options are likely to be considered?
It will be up to the speaker, but Sir Oliver said he believed all 'serious' proposals that were put forward should have a chance to be debated.
At one end of the spectrum, that could include a second referendum or revoking the Article 50 withdrawal process altogether. At the other, it could include a no-deal Brexit, leaving the EU on World Trade Organisation terms.
In between, there could be proposals for a 'softer' Norway-style Brexit - sometimes called Common Market 2.0 - the customs union plan favoured by Labour, and a 'harder' Canada-style free trade deal.
• What is the government's response?
Ministers have warned it sets a 'dangerous, unpredictable precedent', while Theresa May has said she will not necessarily be bound by the results - particularly if they are 'undeliverable' by the EU.
That prompted Tory former minister Nick Boles to warn that MPs could bring forward legislation forcing the government to act if ministers try to ignore the wishes of parliament.
• How long have they got to sort this out?
The clock is ticking. Last week, the EU gave May until April 12 to come forward with an alternative plan if she cannot finally get her twice-rejected Brexit deal through the Commons in a 'meaningful vote' this week.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
