This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46393399

The article has changed 95 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 77 Version 78
Brexit: What happens now? Brexit: What happens now?
(3 days later)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will seek an early general election on 12 December. MPs have already twice rejected an election and are now expected to vote again on Monday. The Brexit date is set to be delayed until 31 January 2020 after the EU agreed to the UK's extension request.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously said the UK would leave by 31 October "do or die". Mr Johnson has agreed a deal with the EU but the bill implementing it still needs to get through Parliament.
The UK could leave earlier than 31 January if the deal is passed by MPs.
Mr Johnson wants an early general election on 12 December. MPs have already twice rejected an election and are now expected to vote again on Monday.
Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, two thirds of all MPs - 434 in total - have to back an early election for it to take place.Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, two thirds of all MPs - 434 in total - have to back an early election for it to take place.
If MPs vote for an election, Mr Johnson has said they would be given more time to consider the Brexit bill. They would have until Parliament dissolved shortly after midnight on 6 November.If MPs vote for an election, Mr Johnson has said they would be given more time to consider the Brexit bill. They would have until Parliament dissolved shortly after midnight on 6 November.
Some MPs have already complained it's not much more time than was being offered before, when they rejected the government's proposed timetable.Some MPs have already complained it's not much more time than was being offered before, when they rejected the government's proposed timetable.
It's also been pointed out that, legally, the prime minister could choose a different election date after MPs had voted.It's also been pointed out that, legally, the prime minister could choose a different election date after MPs had voted.
If MPs vote against having an election, the government will not bring its Brexit bill back for MPs to debate.If MPs vote against having an election, the government will not bring its Brexit bill back for MPs to debate.
The EU is expected to agree to the UK's request for a Brexit delay although it remains unclear whether the new date will be 31 January 2020. There is another plan for an early election. The Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party are proposing 9 December as the date. This would be achieved via an amendment to the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.
If MPs agreed to an election and if they also passed the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which brings the Brexit deal into UK law, then Brexit could still take place before an election. This would require only a simple majority in Parliament.
However it would be after the 31 October deadline that Mr Johnson was previously committed to. He said the UK would leave by then "do or die".
If MPs agree to the election but the bill doesn't get through all its stages before 6 November then the election would take place anyway - with the result influencing how Brexit was resolved.
Extension request
The EU is currently considering the UK's extension request. All 27 EU nations must agree to it. If they agree to an extension until 31 January 2020 that will become the new date for Brexit.
If the EU proposes a date other than this, even a short "technical extension" of a few days, the prime minister must approve it unless a motion is put before MPs and they decide not to pass it.
If the EU refuses to grant the UK a delay then Brexit will happen on 31 October at 23:00 GMT.
Leaving without a deal (or withdrawal agreement) means the UK would immediately exit the customs union and single market - arrangements designed to make trade easier.
Vote of no confidenceVote of no confidence
At any point the opposition could call a vote of no confidence in the government. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has previously said he would table such a motion.At any point the opposition could call a vote of no confidence in the government. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has previously said he would table such a motion.
If more MPs vote for the no-confidence motion than against it, there would then be a 14-day window to see if the current government - or an alternative one with a new prime minister - could win a vote of confidence.If more MPs vote for the no-confidence motion than against it, there would then be a 14-day window to see if the current government - or an alternative one with a new prime minister - could win a vote of confidence.
If no-one does then a general election would follow.If no-one does then a general election would follow.
Another referendumAnother referendum
There could also be another referendum although it would certainly require a Brexit delay and, most likely, a change of government first.There could also be another referendum although it would certainly require a Brexit delay and, most likely, a change of government first.
The referendum could have the same legal status as the one in 2016. It would be advisory, and the government would have to decide how to respond once the result was known.The referendum could have the same legal status as the one in 2016. It would be advisory, and the government would have to decide how to respond once the result was known.
An alternative would be to hold a so-called "confirmatory" referendum. That would be between a particular Brexit deal and remain - or possibly with no deal as an option. The result of this kind of referendum would be legally binding.An alternative would be to hold a so-called "confirmatory" referendum. That would be between a particular Brexit deal and remain - or possibly with no deal as an option. The result of this kind of referendum would be legally binding.
Either way, the new referendum would require legislation to be held. There would also have to be time for the Electoral Commission to consider the question wording - especially if it's a referendum with more than two options.Either way, the new referendum would require legislation to be held. There would also have to be time for the Electoral Commission to consider the question wording - especially if it's a referendum with more than two options.
Experts at the Constitution Unit at University College London say it would take a minimum of 22 weeks.Experts at the Constitution Unit at University College London say it would take a minimum of 22 weeks.
No-deal Brexit
The default position will be that if no deal is passed by Parliament, the UK will leave the EU without one on 31 January 2020.
Leaving without a deal (or withdrawal agreement) means the UK would immediately exit the customs union and single market - arrangements designed to make trade easier.
Many politicians and businesses say this would damage the economy. Others say the risks are exaggerated.
Cancel BrexitCancel Brexit
There is also the legal option of cancelling Brexit altogether by revoking Article 50.There is also the legal option of cancelling Brexit altogether by revoking Article 50.
But clearly, this is not something the current government is contemplating - so it's only really possible to imagine this outcome after a change of government.But clearly, this is not something the current government is contemplating - so it's only really possible to imagine this outcome after a change of government.
The Liberal Democrats have said that if they won a majority in the House of Commons they would revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit.The Liberal Democrats have said that if they won a majority in the House of Commons they would revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit.