Politics

Brexit: Seven options MPs could vote on, and what they mean

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Brexit: Seven options MPs could vote on, and what they mean


The House of Commons will be given the choice of various Brexit outcomes through a series of so-called indicative votes.


 

It comes after the government was defeated in the Commons and failed to stop a proposal spearheaded by former Tory minister Sir Oliver Letwin from being approved by MPs.


His plan has seized control of the parliamentary timetable from the government for Wednesday, which will now see indicative votes held.


So, what are the likely Brexit options MPs will be voting on?


 

Revoke Article 50


Article 50 is the clause which triggered the UK's withdrawal from the EU and gave the country two years to negotiate an exit deal.


A petition to revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit passed five million signatures on Sunday.


The prime minister is set against cancelling the UK's departure from the EU, claiming it would cause distrust of politicians for failing to deliver on the result of the EU referendum.



Second referendum


A second referendum would see decision-making on Brexit taken back to the public - likely including the option of remaining in the EU.


The People's Vote campaign claimed one million people joined its march in favour of a second EU referendum in London on Saturday.


A Sky Data poll in January found that most Britons do not want a second EU referendum, with 56% saying they were opposed to another vote.




Theresa May speaks in Parliament following the vote on Brexit

Image:Theresa May speaks in parliament following the vote on Brexit



PM's deal


MPs have twice rejected Theresa May's Brexit deal, with the prime minister admitting she is still yet to garner enough support to bring it back for a third vote in the Commons.


EU leaders recently granted the prime minister's request to delay Brexit, on the condition that her deal is passed by the end of this week.


PM's deal with customs union


Another option is a softer version of the prime minister's deal, which would see the UK remain within the EU's customs union.


This means goods can pass between the UK and the EU without checks or duties, but there will still be tariffs for non-EU goods.


However, it would severely limit the UK's ability to sign independent trade deals with non-EU countries.




MAY LOSES BREXIT VOTE

Image:Mrs May has lost two votes on her Brexit deal



PM's deal with customs union and single market membership


This option would also include membership of the EU's single market - which guarantees the free movement of goods, capital, services and labour across the bloc.


The prime minister has repeatedly stated ending free movement of people is among her top priorities in order to honour the 2016 Brexit vote.


Standard free trade agreement


Brexiteers have long argued the UK should sign a free trade deal with the EU along the lines of Canada's agreement with the bloc.


This would see the vast majority of goods be traded tariff-free between the UK and EU, but leave the UK outside the bloc's customs union and single market.


The prime minister argues this would not prevent the establishment of a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit.




Pro-Brexit protestors carry placards during a protest near the Houses of Parliament in London on March 13, 2019. - British MPs will vote Wednesday on whether the country should leave the EU without a deal in just over two weeks, after overwhelmingly rejecting a draft divorce agreement. The House of Commons is expected to vote against a 'no deal' Brexit, although this could still happen on March 29 unless it can agree on what should happen instead.

Image:Pro-Brexit protesters carry placards during a protest near the Houses of Parliament in London



No-deal Brexit


This final option would leave the UK with no agreements in place for its departure or what its future relationship with the EU will look like.


It has been argued this could cause chaos at the UK's borders and see a hit to the economy, while also not providing protections for EU citizens living in the UK and British expats living on the continent.


It could also see a hard border established on the island of Ireland, and the ending of UK-EU security co-operation.


Sky News recently revealed the armed forces have activated a team in a nuclear-proof bunker under the Ministry of Defence as the government prepares for a potential no-deal Brexit.


However, Brexiteers argue a no-deal Brexit would mean the UK wouldn't have to pay a £39bn divorce fee and could immediately reduce tariffs on goods coming into the country.


Sky News



 

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