No deal Brexit vote results: What happens NOW? Will Brexit happen?
THERESA MAY has faced another shocking setback to her Brexit plan, with her deal rejected as well as her plans for what’s next. So what now?
Brexit: Withdrawal Agreement the only option says Timmermans
On Tuesday night, MPs voted to reject Theresa May’s Brexit deal by 149 votes. And on Wednesday, they voted to rule out a no-deal Brexit at any time, rather than just on the March 29 deadline, which the Prime Minister tabled. So as the crisis deepens, what is the next step, and what are the options?
What happens next?
On Thursday, March 14, MPs will vote on whether they want to request an extension to Article 50 from the EU.
The motion to be voted on says that if MPs vote for an extension, “the Government will seek to agree with the European Union a one-off extension of the period specified in Article 50 for a period ending on 30 June 2019 for the purpose of passing the necessary EU exit legislation.”
READ MORE: What were the results of Wednesday's no deal Brexit vote?
What if it fails?
If it fails and MPs don’t approve the request for an extension, there are two options:
1. A third vote on the Prime Minister’s deal
2. Nothing: the clock ticks until 11p on March 29 and the UK leaves without a deal
What if it passes?
If it passes, the first thing that’ll need to happen is the Prime Minister requesting an extension on Article 50 from the EU.
This will be until June 30 - so an extra three months.
If they decline, we’re back to the two options above.
But if they approve it, there are a few possibilities:
1. Renegotiation
The Prime Minister could try to go back to the EU and renegotiate. But there is no guarantee they would be open to this - in fact, they have said they certainly won’t.
2. Referendum
Put it back to the public to decide how to proceed, or if to proceed with Brexit at all.
3. General Election
The Prime Minister could ask Parliament if she should call an election. Or the opposition could call for a motion of no-confidence, and if that passes, an election could result.
4. No Brexit.
The UK has the power to unilaterally withdraw Article 50, and the Brexit process would be stopped in its tracks.