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Brexit: What happens now? Brexit: What happens now?
(about 5 hours later)
The Brexit date is set to be delayed until 31 January 2020 after the EU agreed to the UK's extension request.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.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.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. Mr Johnson wanted an early general election on 12 December. MPs rejected a motion on 28 October to call an early election - the third time they have done so (Mr Johnson originally wanted an election on 15 October).
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. There is another way to have an early election - a short bill to change the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. The government will now try that route and MPs will vote on Tuesday for an election to be held on 12 December.
Some MPs have already complained it's not much more time than was being offered before, when they rejected the government's proposed timetable. Only a simple majority would be required, but it might still be difficult if opposition MPs try to amend it. And it has to go through both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
It's also been pointed out that, legally, the prime minister could choose a different election date after MPs had voted. The Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party had a similar plan for a short bill with 9 December as the election date. It is not clear if these opposition parties will support the government's bill. Labour has said it will not support an early election unless a no-deal Brexit has been taken off the table.
If MPs vote against having an election, the government will not bring its Brexit bill back for MPs to debate.
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.
This would require only a simple majority in Parliament.
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 BrexitNo-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.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.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.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.