The Prime Minister has watched as her hard-fought Brexit deal crashed and burned in two disastrous votes in the House of Commons. Another blow was dealt when the EU rejected her request for a three-month Brexit extension, offering a shorter one instead. And now Parliament has dealt a fresh setback to Theresa May as they voted to seize control of the Brexit timetable.
On Tuesday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the options for Brexit “are narrowing”.
MPs will vote in a series of ‘indicative votes’ on Wednesday to see what – if anything – commands a majority in the House.
Mr Hancock said the Government would listen to MPs but “can’t pre-commit to following whatever they vote for”.
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What happens next?
MPs will hold a series of ‘indicative’ votes on Wednesday – a series of options designed to test the will of Parliament.
If something commands a majority, what happens next will depend on whether the Government listens.
Either way, there is still the chance the Prime Minister will put her Brexit deal to a third ‘meaningful vote’ this week.
If Mrs May’s withdrawal agreement passes, the UK is set to leave on on May 22 with a deal.
But if it fails again, the UK is on course to leave without a deal on April 22, or request a longer extension.
On Tuesday, the DUP – who prop up the minority Government in Parliament and are a key obstacle to the deal – said a one year delay would be better than agreeing to this deal.
Could we see an election soon?
On Wednesday at 5pm, Theresa May will address the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers.
Some have suggested she could use this as her opportunity to resign, or announce her plan to do so at some point in the near future.
Mrs May could decide the best way out of this deadlock is to call another general election.
And the opposition could still table another no-confidence motion at any time.
Their last attempt failed, but there is no limit on them calling another.
If this succeeded, it would kickstart a challenge to form a government which, if unsuccessful, would lead to another general election.
