MPs will hold a historic vote tonight on delaying Brexit.
Theresa May was forced to hold the showdown after MPs defeated her Brexit deal for the second time by 149 votes.
Then they defeated her last night too, demanding No Deal be taken off the table in a revolt by 13 ministers.
Tonight’s vote is expected to call for a delay – no matter what. It could put the March 29 Brexit date back by years, and corral the Commons into agreeing a softer deal.
Meanwhile, MPs are plotting amendments to take control of the Brexit process. Here’s a quick guide.
When is the delay Brexit vote?
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MPs will start voting from 5pm, meaning the result could come as early as 5.15pm.
But it’s more realistic it will be closer to 6pm because we will have votes on amendments first.
What are MPs voting on?
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MPs are being asked to vote on a motion tabled by Theresa May which would authorise the Prime Minister to seek an extension of the two-year Article 50 negotiations, delaying Brexit beyond March 29.
If MPs back it there will be a delay, no matter what.
But the crucial question is – how long for?
The motion says if we have a deal agreed by March 20, the UK will seek a one-off extension until June 30 to allow time for laws to be passed.
If her deal fails to win Commons support, the motion doesn’t set a time on the extension.
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Instead it simply says one will have to be agreed by the EU at its major summit at the end of next week.
The motion warns it is “highly likely” the EU will require the UK to set out a “clear purpose” before granting any extension – and the UK would have to take part in EU elections.
EU chief Donald Tusk today warned there will need to be “consensus” before a delay is agreed. That in plain English is likely to mean at least being open to a customs union or alignment with the single market.
What are the amendments?
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MPs have tabled a number of amendments to Mrs May’s proposal.
It will be for the Commons Speaker to decide which to select for debate, and it is unlikely that all will be pushed to a vote at 5pm.
The amendments are:
Let MPs take control: Sources say a bombshell last-minute amendment is being tabled by Remainers Hilary Benn, Yvette Cooper and Oliver Letwin that would pave the way for a multiple-choice “indicative” vote by MPs on the way forward. It would call for a delay to Brexit to find an “alternative approach” to Brexit, according to ITV. This alternative approach would almost certainly be a softer Brexit like a customs union or the ‘Norway’ model.
Let MPs agree a way forward: Labour’s amendment notes that Parliament has “decisively” rejected both Mrs May’s deal and no deal and calls for a delay to Brexit “to provide parliamentary time for this House to find a majority for a different approach”.
NO to a second referendum: A cross-party amendment, tabled by Tory Lee Rowley and backed by 111 Leave-backing MPs, calls for a second vote on EU membership to be ruled out because it would be “divisive and expensive”. It’s designed to spike the guns of those pushing for a People’s Vote.
YES to a second referendum: Tabled by Independent Group MP Sarah Wollaston and backed by members of the new grouping, Liberal Democrats and a handful from other parties, this amendment seeks an Article 50 extension to stage a second referendum with Remain versus Parliament’s preferred Brexit option on the ballot paper.
Liberal Democrats: Sir Vince Cable’s party have tabled an amendment calling for an extension to arrange a second referendum, with Remain on the ballot paper.
Scottish independence: Tabled by the Scottish National Party, this amendment says Scotland must not be taken out of the EU against its will and that this can best be avoided by allowing its people to vote for independence.
Plaid Cymru: The Welsh nationalist party is calling for an extension to 2021 for more negotiations, with a binding referendum at that point on whether to accept whatever deal has been agreed or remain in the EU.
Cancel Brexit: Tabled by SNP MP Angus MacNeil and backed by Europhile MPs from across the House, including Tory grandee Kenneth Clarke and Labour’s Keith Vaz, this amendment calls for Brexit to be halted by withdrawing the UK’s notice of intention to leave under Article 50 of the EU treaties.
New negotiating team: Tabled by Leave-backing Conservative Sir Christopher Chope, with no other signatories, this amendment calls for an extension to May 22 “for the specific purpose of replacing the UK negotiating team”. It will not pass.
