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Brexit: MPs to vote on leaving the EU with no deal – Politics live Brexit: MPs to vote on leaving the EU with no deal – Politics live
(32 minutes later)
There might still be ways that Brexit can go badly; unexplored dead ends and byways of failure. But the road to success is now closed. Parliament’s second verdict on Theresa May’s deal is slightly less crushing than the first one in January. But a defeat by 149 votes, just weeks before Britain is due to leave the EU, indicates not only the last evacuation of any authority from the prime minister but a profound crisis in the project that is the only purpose of her government. She had one job, and she cannot do it. Vital questions about the future will now be settled in a state between despondency and panic. There is no strategy, no guiding intelligence. A plan must be salvaged from the wreckage of a bad idea badly executed.
There was a moment, early today, when May thought she saw a way through. A path was briefly visible to the promised land of orderly Brexit. The prime minister had brought legal clarifications from Strasbourg to embellish her deal. But then the road was barred by Geoffrey Cox. The attorney general judged that the UK might still find itself in the notorious backstop – an EU customs union – with no unilateral means of dissolving the arrangement. Indefinite backstop is a deal-breaker for hardliners.
Cox’s judgment spread disappointment well beyond the circle of noisy Brexit ultras. There is a quieter tranche of MPs whose first preference is that Brexitjust be done with a minimum of trauma. Most aren’t that bothered about the detail. But May’s withdrawal agreement, the only existing mechanism to achieve their goal, is just too toxic after so much high-profile scorn.
Today's business in the House of Commons. pic.twitter.com/dcdqfMi1sO
Yesterday, writing in the Guardian, former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd warned that expecting the Commonwealth to fill the trade gap left by the EU, was “utter delusion”.
Today, one of Australia’s top business leaders has cautioned that the trade uncertainty caused by Brexit is hurting its trade partners.
James Pearson, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the 300,000 businesses it represents were “exposed quite heavily” to export and import markets and the UK was a “significant” trading partner.
“[MPs] need to resolve the issues as soon as practical so that we can get on with building and strengthening further the United Kingdom-Australia trade and investment relationship,” he told the Press Association.
“It’s got a long history, it’s a very strong and profitable one and a beneficial one for the people and businesses of both countries, so we are looking forward to doing that once this uncertainty is resolved.”
Political correspondent Peter Walker, has this excellent guide to what happens next.
What happens next?
As promised in advance by Theresa May, the next step will be motions on successive days to see first if MPs want to rule out a no-deal departure and then, if they do, whether they wish to extend article 50 and delay the Brexit process. The Conservatives will have a free vote on no deal. May stressed that Wednesday’s vote would not rule out no deal for ever – just for now. And if MPs decline to rule out no deal, she said, it will become official government policy.
What does this mean for Theresa May?
Whatever happens, it’s not good news. Badly losing two Commons votes on your government’s flagship policy is unprecedented for a modern prime minister, and in any other political era would herald their imminent eviction from Downing Street. There had been speculation that May could even resign if she lost again. While she has not, she is badly weakened, and the challenges will surely come. For now, MPs’ focus is on seeking to shape Brexit, and few would probably want to immediately take on her onerous task. But – as with everything in this matter – events could move very quickly.
How long could Brexit be delayed?
That depends, not least on whether MPs support this. May is adamant that if there is a pause it should be brief and not one that would require the UK to take part in the upcoming European elections, taking place in 10 weeks’ time. But any Commons motion on extending article 50 will be amendable, and parliament might take another view.
Could May seek a softer Brexit?
Seemingly not, at least not yet. After the vote her spokesman reiterated the prime minister’s opposition to any Brexit deal that involves a customs union. Meanwhile the EU has indicated that it has no appetite for further talks.
What will Labour do next?
While pushing for a second referendum is still among the party’s official demands, in responding to May’s defeat, Jeremy Corbyn spoke mainly about again pushing Labour’s Brexit plan – which involves membership of a customs union, or the idea of a general election. But again, things could change quickly, and those MPs who back a second referendum have not given up on the idea.
Could there be a general election?
That is what some Conservative backbenchers loyal to May were warning would inevitably happen if she lost the latest vote. This is likely to have been intended as an extra warning to would-be Tory rebels, one that went largely unobserved. An election could still happen, but that would involve extending article 50 for longer than the government wants.
What happens now that May's Brexit deal has been defeated again?
The pound rose slightly overnight as traders took the Commons vote as a sign that Brexit is now more likely to be delayed. It is sitting at $1.309 and €1.16.The pound rose slightly overnight as traders took the Commons vote as a sign that Brexit is now more likely to be delayed. It is sitting at $1.309 and €1.16.
David de Garis, a director of economics and market at National Australia Bank, told Reuters that he expected today’s no-deal vote to go against the government as well as Thursday’s expected vote to extend the article 50 trigger. That would be “of some comfort to sterling”, he said.David de Garis, a director of economics and market at National Australia Bank, told Reuters that he expected today’s no-deal vote to go against the government as well as Thursday’s expected vote to extend the article 50 trigger. That would be “of some comfort to sterling”, he said.
But he added: “It’s still a fast moving environment, with political pressure at understandably extreme levels.”But he added: “It’s still a fast moving environment, with political pressure at understandably extreme levels.”
This graph shows the biggest government defeats in House of Commons. Tuesday night’s comes in fourth; the largest remains Theresa May’s first defeat on her Brexit plan in January.This graph shows the biggest government defeats in House of Commons. Tuesday night’s comes in fourth; the largest remains Theresa May’s first defeat on her Brexit plan in January.
Theresa May looks downcast on the front pages of most of the papers today, which all focus on the defeat of the Brexit deal in the House of Commons last night. Our full wrap of how the papers covered the news is here.Theresa May looks downcast on the front pages of most of the papers today, which all focus on the defeat of the Brexit deal in the House of Commons last night. Our full wrap of how the papers covered the news is here.
The Guardian front page, Wednesday 13 March 2019: Another huge defeat for May. And just 16 days until Brexit pic.twitter.com/fM1zuXRsA2The Guardian front page, Wednesday 13 March 2019: Another huge defeat for May. And just 16 days until Brexit pic.twitter.com/fM1zuXRsA2
Tomorrow's front page: Brexit delay mayhem #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/9pDVQqfl93 pic.twitter.com/qcjZYOigx6Tomorrow's front page: Brexit delay mayhem #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/9pDVQqfl93 pic.twitter.com/qcjZYOigx6
Wednesday’s FT: “May loses control of Brexit after MPs throw out revamped deal” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday (via @AllieHBNews) pic.twitter.com/izXTYvq2HJWednesday’s FT: “May loses control of Brexit after MPs throw out revamped deal” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday (via @AllieHBNews) pic.twitter.com/izXTYvq2HJ
Wednesday’s Daily MAIL: “The House Of Fools” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/3R3mq96J6EWednesday’s Daily MAIL: “The House Of Fools” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/3R3mq96J6E
Wednesday’s TIMES: “Driven to despair” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/aWkg4rEkcoWednesday’s TIMES: “Driven to despair” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/aWkg4rEkco
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph 'May clings on despite a second humiliating defeat' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/BdOouQqBXIThe front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph 'May clings on despite a second humiliating defeat' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/BdOouQqBXI
Tomorrow's front page: Theresa May's rejigged Brexit plan croaked after hardline Tory MP's inflicted another devastating defeat. https://t.co/NSLxFZWNbH pic.twitter.com/0YDHTyak2QTomorrow's front page: Theresa May's rejigged Brexit plan croaked after hardline Tory MP's inflicted another devastating defeat. https://t.co/NSLxFZWNbH pic.twitter.com/0YDHTyak2Q
Wednesday’s i - “Out of control” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/BSMvT63FbgWednesday’s i - “Out of control” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/BSMvT63Fbg
Here's tomorrow's @Daily_Express front page: - How much more of this can Britain take? #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Oj6Ou8nb38Here's tomorrow's @Daily_Express front page: - How much more of this can Britain take? #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Oj6Ou8nb38
'House of fools': what the papers said about May's Brexit defeat'House of fools': what the papers said about May's Brexit defeat
The interactive that allowed you to see how every MP voted on yesterday’s motion seems to have had a bit of a malfunction when embedded in the blog.The interactive that allowed you to see how every MP voted on yesterday’s motion seems to have had a bit of a malfunction when embedded in the blog.
I’ve take it down, but if you’d like to search for your (or any) MP, you can do that here. And we will be updating the interactive with the results from all the Brexit votes this week. So, one to bookmark.I’ve take it down, but if you’d like to search for your (or any) MP, you can do that here. And we will be updating the interactive with the results from all the Brexit votes this week. So, one to bookmark.
How did your MP vote in the March Brexit votes?How did your MP vote in the March Brexit votes?
Hello early-rising politics-watchers, welcome to our rolling coverage of today’s politics news.Hello early-rising politics-watchers, welcome to our rolling coverage of today’s politics news.
After yesterday’s thumping defeat of Theresa May’s Brexit deal – which was defeated by 149 votes in the Commons – MPs are preparing to vote on another significant Brexit motion today. This time they will vote on whether or not a no-deal Brexit is possible.After yesterday’s thumping defeat of Theresa May’s Brexit deal – which was defeated by 149 votes in the Commons – MPs are preparing to vote on another significant Brexit motion today. This time they will vote on whether or not a no-deal Brexit is possible.
Donald Tusk warned that the outcome of last night’s vote made a no-deal Brexit more likely, saying: “On the EU side we have done all that is possible to reach an agreement ... With only 17 days left to 29 March, today’s vote has significantly increased the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit.”Donald Tusk warned that the outcome of last night’s vote made a no-deal Brexit more likely, saying: “On the EU side we have done all that is possible to reach an agreement ... With only 17 days left to 29 March, today’s vote has significantly increased the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit.”
If MPs reject the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, they will vote on the possibility of delaying the UK’s exit from the European Union on Thursday.If MPs reject the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, they will vote on the possibility of delaying the UK’s exit from the European Union on Thursday.
Labour has said it will try to force the government to adopt its Brexit stance. After May was defeated, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for a general election.Labour has said it will try to force the government to adopt its Brexit stance. After May was defeated, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for a general election.
It’s going to be another big Brexit day, in another big Brexit week. We’re glad to have you along for the ride.It’s going to be another big Brexit day, in another big Brexit week. We’re glad to have you along for the ride.
Get in touch via Twitter, in the comments, or via email – kate.lyons@theguardian.com – if you have questions, thoughts, or witticisms to share. I’ll be gently shepherding the blog along in the early hours before Andrew Sparrow takes over a little later.Get in touch via Twitter, in the comments, or via email – kate.lyons@theguardian.com – if you have questions, thoughts, or witticisms to share. I’ll be gently shepherding the blog along in the early hours before Andrew Sparrow takes over a little later.