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 80 Version 81
Brexit: What happens now? Brexit: What happens now?
(about 4 hours later)
The Brexit date is set to be delayed until 31 January 2020 after the EU agreed to the UK's extension request. MPs will vote later on a bill to hold an election in the second week of December.
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. It follows the confirmation of a Brexit delay until 31 January 2020 after the EU agreed to the UK's extension request.
The UK could leave earlier than 31 January if the deal is passed by MPs. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously said the UK would leave by 31 October "do or die". He has agreed a deal with the EU but the bill implementing it has been put on hold.
Mr Johnson wanted an early general election on 12 December. MPs failed to back 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). MPs failed to back a motion on 28 October to call an early election - the third time they have done so.
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 - are needed to get an early election using that procedure.
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. There is another way to have an early election - a short bill to change the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. That now looks likely to pass because the opposition parties say they will support it.
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. Only a simple majority is required but there could still be attempts to amend the bill. And it has to go through both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
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. Assuming that all happens, though, Parliament will be dissolved next week with the election happening in the week beginning 9 December.
Vote of no confidence What happens next on Brexit would depend on the outcome of that election.
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. Implement the deal
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. One option is to implement the Brexit deal that Boris Johnson has negotiated with the EU.
If no-one does then a general election would follow. A new version of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill would have to be introduced in the new Parliament - and go back to the beginning of its passage through Parliament.
The aim would be to get the bill completed in time for Brexit on 31 January. This is the Conservatives' plan.
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 further Brexit delay.
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.
Labour, the SNP, The Independent Group for Change, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party all support having another referendum.
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.
The Brexit Party wants the UK to leave the EU without a deal, in what it calls a "clean-break Brexit".
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. If they didn't get a majority, they would support another referendum.