Brexit: Commons speaker picks four indicative votes for MPs to debate
A fresh attempt to break the UK’s Brexit deadlock was made today as MPs prepare to vote on four indicative motions to decide on a path forward.
Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal was rejected for a third time last week by a margin of 58 votes as parliament opted against leaving the EU with her withdrawal agreement on 22 May.
Instead MPs are staring at a no-deal Brexit on 12 April, with the EU warning that is now a “likely” scenario unless the UK can present a clear strategy to justify a further delay.
Last week’s series of indicative motions failed to find a popular way forward, so more votes will take place today.
There were eight options on the table, but Commons speaker John Bercow picked four to put forward for votes scheduled for 8pm tonight.
However, these were the options Bercow had to choose from – let's see which he picked:
Motion A – A unilateral right of exit from the backstop
Proposed by John Baron (Conservative)
This would allow the UK to end the so-called Irish backstop of its own accord, a key demand of the DUP and Jacob Rees-Mogg’s European Research Group to back May’s deal.
Currently, May’s withdrawal agreement contains the potential for the UK to be stuck indefinitely in a customs union with the EU.
Motion B – No deal in the absence of a withdrawal agreement
Proposed by John Baron (Conservative)
This motion calls on MPs to support the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal on 12 April if May’s withdrawal agreement still lacks support.
An online petition calling for a no-deal Brexit has garnered 135,000 signatures so far – more than the 100,000 threshold required for parliament to consider it for debate, but far less than the 6m signatures to revoke Article 50.
A no-deal Brexit would see the UK trade on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules that could lead to extra checks and taxes on some goods.
MPs have already voted overwhelmingly against a similar motion last week.
Motion C: Customs union – PICKED BY BERCOW
Proposed by Ken Clarke (Conservative)
Tory grandee Ken Clarke’s motion seeks to force the government to sign up to a “permanent and comprehensive” UK-wide customs union with the EU.
This can be seen as a much softer Brexit than hardline Brexiters would be satisfied with, but would solve the need for many checks at the Irish border.
However, the UK wouldn’t be able to make its own trade deals with other countries. In last week’s votes this option was just six votes short of a majority.
Earlier today the Tories’ chief whip said the government had failed to communicate the “inevitably” softer Brexit May negotiated with the EU.
Motion D – Common Market 2.0 – PICKED BY BERCOW
Proposed by Nick Boles (Conservative) and Lucy Powell (Labour)
Another softer Brexit option, Boles’ and Powell’s motion would see the UK recommit to the European Free Trade Assocation and European Economic Area.
That would keep the UK in the single market and see the UK retain freedom of movement.
MPs defeated this controversial option last week by a wide margin.
Motion E: Confirmatory public vote – PICKED BY BERCOW
Proposed by Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson (Labour)
This motion seeks to put any Brexit deal agreed by parliament before the public before it can go ahead.
It split opinion last week in the Commons, with 268 votes for it and 295 against.
Motion F: Public vote to prevent no deal
Proposed by Graham Jones (Labour) and Dominic Grieve (Conservative)
Under this option, a referendum on the future path of Brexit would take place – but only if the UK is facing a no-deal Brexit.
The motion is new.
Motion G: Parliamentary supremacy – PICKED BY BERCOW
Proposed by Joanna Cherry (SNP)
Cherry’s option seeks to prevent a no-deal Brexit by forcing the government to seek an extension by 10 April if no deal is agreed.
If the EU agrees to delay Brexit again, a vote on 11 April would see MPs choose between a no-deal Brexit or simply revoking Brexit completely.
If MPs pick the latter, an inquiry would seek to find an option on a UK-EU relationship that could realistically win support.
Motion H: EFTA and EEA
Proposed by George Eustice (Conservative)
Former minister Eustice’s motion proposes the UK rejoin the European Free Trade Association without undue delay to keep the UK in the single market.
It would also put the UK back in the negotiating room with the EU over “additional protocols” to resolve the Irish border problem.