Another vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal: Your ultimate guide
Tuesday 12 March 2019 20:54, UK
By Greg Heffer, political reporter
MPs are poised to vote for a second time on Theresa May's Brexit deal, having overwhelmingly rejected it in January.
The prime minister has brought her withdrawal agreement back to the House of Commons having, she claims, secured legally-binding changes.
Mrs May made a last-ditch visit to Strasbourg on Monday night to agree the alterations with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.
These were focused on easing MPs' concerns to the Irish border backstop, which formed the large part of opposition to her deal in January.
Mrs May lost that vote by a massive 230 votes.
The prime minister will now again ask the Commons to approve her withdrawal agreement - through a second "meaningful" vote - and the political declaration on the future UK-EU relationship.
:: When is the vote happening?
MPs will begin voting tonight from 7pm. The result should be known 15 to 20 minutes later.
:: How does the vote work?
The prime minister has laid a motion in the Commons asking MPs to approve her withdrawal agreement and political declaration.
They are also being asked to approve three documents she has added to her original deal, aimed at providing further assurances the UK won't be trapped indefinitely in the backstop.
This is designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland should talks on a future EU-UK trade relationship break down.
The three documents are a joint instrument with the EU, which "reduces the risk the UK could be deliberately held in the Northern Ireland backstop indefinitely"; a unilateral declaration by the UK setting out how it could exit the backstop; and, finally, a commitment from both sides to work towards replacing the backstop with "alternative arrangements".
:: Why is the backstop so controversial?
The main criticism of Mrs May's withdrawal agreement continues to be the backstop.
Brexiteers fear it could permanently leave the UK in an effective customs union with the EU.
Meanwhile, the DUP - who prop up Mrs May's government at Westminster - fear the backstop will create regulatory differences between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
:: How will MPs vote?
The prime minister faced a mammoth task in overturning the vast opposition to her Brexit deal, as initially expressed by MPs in January.
There is little sign she has since managed to convince a majority in the Commons to now support her withdrawal agreement.
Crucially, both the European Research Group (ERG) of Conservative eurosceptics and the DUP will not support Mrs May's deal.
:: How does the vote work?
Once the debate on the prime minister's motion finishes, Commons Speaker John Bercow will ask those in favour to shout "aye".
Those against will shout "no".
If any MPs shout no there will be a formal vote, called a division.
MPs will then walk through the "aye" and "no" lobbies to register their vote.
Both sides will nominate two MPs as "tellers" to assemble in front of the Speaker and announce the result.
:: What happens after the vote?
If Mrs May's motion passes, the Commons will have approved her Brexit strategy.
The government will then set about putting the withdrawal agreement into law by passing relevant legislation.
Is she loses, the PM has vowed to hold two further votes this week.
First, MPs will be asked if they want to approve the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement, known as a no-deal Brexit.
If they reject a no-deal Brexit, MPs will then be asked to vote on a short delay to the UK's departure.
Before or after these votes, the prime minister could also have a number of other options:
1. Resign
Having seen her Brexit deal defeated twice, Mrs May might decide she no longer commands the confidence of MPs to negotiate the UK's exit from the EU and it is time for her to leave 10 Downing Street.
2. Call a general election
The prime minister could also decide the only way to break the Brexit deadlock in parliament is to replace the current make up of the Commons through a general election.
After winning a vote of confidence among Tory MPs last year, the prime minister told her party she would not lead them into the next general election.
However, whether Mrs May's pledge applies to a snap election is still unclear.
3. Keep battling on
The prime minister could keep to her chosen tactic and stick with her Brexit deal.
She might try and convince MPs again that her withdrawal agreement is worth backing, and bring it back to the Commons for a third vote.
Mrs May will hope the threat of the UK's exit from the EU never taking place - or being substantially delayed - could force Brexiteer MPs to swallow their opposition and eventually back her deal.
4. Call another referendum
It's unlikely, but the prime minister also has the option of putting her Brexit deal to a public vote for approval.
Anti-Brexit MPs would try and ensure another referendum included remaining in the EU as an option for voters.
:: Brexit Crisis Live: Watch Sky News' special programme from 6pm as MPs vote on Theresa May's deal