Brexit: MPs have seized control of Commons business. What happens now?
MPs in the UK have voted for an amendment enabling them
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At 2pm on Wednesday, normal proceedings in the House will stop and MPs will then consider a backbench motion setting out the future Commons business, including the arrangements for staging indicative votes on the various options but forward.
The architect of the amendment, Tory former minister Oliver Letwin said he hoped to be able to work with both the Government and the Labour frontbenches in coming to an agreement on how it should actually work.
After a debate lasting up to an hour, the Commons will then start to consider the various propositions that are put forward.
It’s not clear, although Mr Letwin suggested it could be quite a lengthy process covering several sitting days, as the House whittles down the various options to one which can command a Commons majority.
He said that should stop MPs trying to “game” the outcome based on the sequence in which the votes are called.
Once they they have established which of the proposals have “significant” support, he said a way would have to be found – possibly through some form of preferential voting system – to “zero in” on the one around which a majority of MPs could coalesce.
It will be up to the Speaker, but Mr Letwin 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.
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.
The clock is ticking. Last week the EU gave Mrs 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.
