'Brexit: What happens now?' diff viewer (49/50)

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Version 49	Version 50
Brexit: What happens now?	Brexit: What happens now?
2019-05-16 22:58:24 UTC	2019-05-17 12:10:19 UTC (about 13 hours later)
On 10 April the UK and the EU agreed a second delay to Brexit until 31 October.	On 10 April the UK and the EU agreed a second delay to Brexit until 31 October.
~~The~~ ~~government~~ is ~~now~~ in ~~cross-party~~ talks ~~with~~ ~~Labour~~ to try to find a compromise which would see ~~both~~ ~~sides~~ ~~support~~ a version of Theresa May's Brexit ~~deal,~~ ~~possibly~~ ~~with~~ ~~extra~~ ~~commitments.~~	Cross-party talks to try to find a compromise which would see Labour and the Conservatives back a version of Theresa May's Brexit deal have ended without an agreement.
But ~~whatever~~ the ~~outcome~~ of ~~those~~ ~~talks~~ ~~the~~ government has ~~now~~ ~~said~~ it ~~will~~ ~~give~~ ~~MPs~~ another chance to vote on Brexit - by bringing forward the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) to the House of Commons in early June.	MPs may be given a further chance to consider a range of different Brexit options. But whether or not that happens, the government has promised another chance to vote on Brexit - by bringing forward the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) to the House of Commons in early June.
The UK will take part in European Parliament elections on 23 May. But the government still hopes that the elected MEPs will never have to take their seats.	The UK will take part in European Parliament elections on 23 May. But the government still hopes that the elected MEPs will never have to take their seats.
If the WAB passes - bringing the negotiated withdrawal agreement into UK law - then Brexit could happen before the 31 October deadline.	If the WAB passes - bringing the negotiated withdrawal agreement into UK law - then Brexit could happen before the 31 October deadline.
The withdrawal agreement is the legally binding part of the Brexit deal that covers exit terms - including money, the transition period, citzizen's rights and the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.	The withdrawal agreement is the legally binding part of the Brexit deal that covers exit terms - including money, the transition period, citzizen's rights and the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The WAB might also be used to put into law commitments agreed with Labour - for example about giving Parliament a greater say in future negotiations with the EU. And the two sides could agree to ask for changes to the non-binding political declaration - the part of the Brexit deal that outlines plans for the long-term future relationship.	The WAB might also be used to put into law commitments agreed with Labour - for example about giving Parliament a greater say in future negotiations with the EU. And the two sides could agree to ask for changes to the non-binding political declaration - the part of the Brexit deal that outlines plans for the long-term future relationship.
However, it would also be possible for MPs to pass an amendment to the bill which would require the UK to go back to the EU to seek changes to the withdrawal agreement itself.	However, it would also be possible for MPs to pass an amendment to the bill which would require the UK to go back to the EU to seek changes to the withdrawal agreement itself.
If that happened and the EU refused changes - or if MPs just flatly reject the WAB - then we'll be back in the situation of there being a range of possible outcomes. And before any of the alternatives happens there could be a Conservative leadership election.	If that happened and the EU refused changes - or if MPs just flatly reject the WAB - then we'll be back in the situation of there being a range of possible outcomes. And before any of the alternatives happens there could be a Conservative leadership election.
1. No deal	1. No deal
No-deal Brexit is still the default outcome if MPs can't agree anything else and there are no further extensions.	No-deal Brexit is still the default outcome if MPs can't agree anything else and there are no further extensions.
With the UK now taking part in Euro elections, the next deadline is 31 October.	With the UK now taking part in Euro elections, the next deadline is 31 October.
It would also be possible for MPs to back a no-deal Brexit - although there has been a majority against that option when they have voted on it before.	It would also be possible for MPs to back a no-deal Brexit - although there has been a majority against that option when they have voted on it before.
2. Major renegotiation	2. Major renegotiation
The government could choose to negotiate a completely new Brexit deal - perhaps in accordance with votes of MPs.	The government could choose to negotiate a completely new Brexit deal - perhaps in accordance with votes of MPs.
This wouldn't be a question of making small additions to the political declaration.	This wouldn't be a question of making small additions to the political declaration.
Instead, there could be a complete renegotiation that would take some time - perhaps involving a rewrite of the withdrawal agreement which would take much longer.	Instead, there could be a complete renegotiation that would take some time - perhaps involving a rewrite of the withdrawal agreement which would take much longer.
If the EU refused to re-enter negotiations, the government would have to plump for one of the other options instead.	If the EU refused to re-enter negotiations, the government would have to plump for one of the other options instead.
3. Another referendum	3. Another referendum
A further possibility is to hold another referendum.	A further possibility is to hold another referendum.
It could have the same status as the 2016 referendum, which was legally non-binding and advisory. But some MPs want to hold a binding referendum where the result would automatically take effect - like with the 2011 referendum on changing the voting system for UK general elections.	It could have the same status as the 2016 referendum, which was legally non-binding and advisory. But some MPs want to hold a binding referendum where the result would automatically take effect - like with the 2011 referendum on changing the voting system for UK general elections.
One widely discussed option would be for a "confirmatory vote" on whatever deal is finally agreed where the public would be given the choice between accepting the deal or remaining in the EU.	One widely discussed option would be for a "confirmatory vote" on whatever deal is finally agreed where the public would be given the choice between accepting the deal or remaining in the EU.
Others argue that any further referendum should have the option of leaving the EU without a deal.	Others argue that any further referendum should have the option of leaving the EU without a deal.
Either way, a referendum can't just happen automatically. The rules for referendums are set out in a law called the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.	Either way, a referendum can't just happen automatically. The rules for referendums are set out in a law called the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
There would have to be a new piece of legislation to make a referendum happen and to determine the rules, such as who would be allowed to vote.	There would have to be a new piece of legislation to make a referendum happen and to determine the rules, such as who would be allowed to vote.
It couldn't be rushed through, because there has to be time for the Electoral Commission to consider and advise on the referendum question.	It couldn't be rushed through, because there has to be time for the Electoral Commission to consider and advise on the referendum question.
The question is then defined in the legislation.	The question is then defined in the legislation.
Once the legislation has been passed, the referendum couldn't happen immediately either. There would have to be a statutory "referendum period" before the vote takes place.	Once the legislation has been passed, the referendum couldn't happen immediately either. There would have to be a statutory "referendum period" before the vote takes place.
Experts at University College London's Constitution Unit suggest that the minimum time for all of the required steps above is about 22 weeks.	Experts at University College London's Constitution Unit suggest that the minimum time for all of the required steps above is about 22 weeks.
4. Call a general election	4. Call a general election
Theresa May could decide the best way out of the deadlock would be to hold an early general election.	Theresa May could decide the best way out of the deadlock would be to hold an early general election.
She doesn't have the power just to call an election. But, as in 2017, she could ask MPs to vote for an early election under the terms of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act.	She doesn't have the power just to call an election. But, as in 2017, she could ask MPs to vote for an early election under the terms of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act.
Two-thirds of all MPs would need to support the move. The earliest date for the election would be 25 working days later but it could be after that - the prime minister would choose the precise date.	Two-thirds of all MPs would need to support the move. The earliest date for the election would be 25 working days later but it could be after that - the prime minister would choose the precise date.
5. Another no-confidence vote	5. Another no-confidence vote
The government survived a vote of no confidence on 16 January by 325 votes to 306. Labour could table another no confidence motion at any time.	The government survived a vote of no confidence on 16 January by 325 votes to 306. Labour could table another no confidence motion at any time.
Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011, UK general elections are only supposed to happen every five years. The next one is due in 2022.	Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011, UK general elections are only supposed to happen every five years. The next one is due in 2022.
But a vote of no confidence lets MPs vote on whether they want the government to continue. The motion must be worded: "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government."	But a vote of no confidence lets MPs vote on whether they want the government to continue. The motion must be worded: "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government."
If a majority of MPs vote for the motion then it starts a 14-day countdown.	If a majority of MPs vote for the motion then it starts a 14-day countdown.
If during that time the current government or any other alternative government cannot win a new vote of confidence, then an early general election would be called.	If during that time the current government or any other alternative government cannot win a new vote of confidence, then an early general election would be called.
That election cannot happen for at least 25 working days.	That election cannot happen for at least 25 working days.
6. Cancel Brexit	6. Cancel Brexit
The European Court of Justice has ruled that it would be legal for the UK to unilaterally revoke Article 50 to cancel Brexit (without the need for agreement from the other 27 EU countries).	The European Court of Justice has ruled that it would be legal for the UK to unilaterally revoke Article 50 to cancel Brexit (without the need for agreement from the other 27 EU countries).
With the government still committed to Brexit, it's very likely that a major event such as a further referendum or change of government would have to happen before such a move.	With the government still committed to Brexit, it's very likely that a major event such as a further referendum or change of government would have to happen before such a move.
It's not totally clear what the process would be. But an act of Parliament calling for Article 50 to be revoked would probably be sufficient.	It's not totally clear what the process would be. But an act of Parliament calling for Article 50 to be revoked would probably be sufficient.
Other possibilities	Other possibilities
Theresa May has said she will step down if her deal is passed.	Theresa May has said she will step down if her deal is passed.
Having already survived a challenge to her leadership, there is no way she can be forced out by her party until December - under the Conservative Party rules.	Having already survived a challenge to her leadership, there is no way she can be forced out by her party until December - under the Conservative Party rules.
But she could still choose to resign if she can't get her deal through and she's not prepared to change course.	But she could still choose to resign if she can't get her deal through and she's not prepared to change course.
That would trigger a Conservative leadership campaign which would result in the appointment of a new prime minister.	That would trigger a Conservative leadership campaign which would result in the appointment of a new prime minister.
She might also come under pressure to resign if MPs pass a "censure motion" - that would be a bit like a no-confidence vote but without the same automatic consequences. Again this could lead to a change in prime minister or even a change in government.	She might also come under pressure to resign if MPs pass a "censure motion" - that would be a bit like a no-confidence vote but without the same automatic consequences. Again this could lead to a change in prime minister or even a change in government.
Whoever ended up in charge would still face the same basic range of Brexit options though.	Whoever ended up in charge would still face the same basic range of Brexit options though.