TODAY is a huge day in the lengthy Brexit process. We already know that Theresa May's deal is likely to suffer a humiliating defeat, what we don't know is exactly what will happen once it is defeated.
That will become clearer in the coming days. For now, MPs are preparing to debate and vote on amendments ahead of the so-called meaningful vote this evening.
READ MORE: Brexit Vote Live: May braced for crushing defeat in Commons
With that in mind, here is what some key figures are tweeting ahead of a crucial afternoon in British politics.
We kick off with the SNP's leader at Westminster Ian Blackford, who has reiterated that the SNP will vote against May’s deal.
Today is the day that SNP will vote against @theresa_may deal to drag Scotland out of the the EU against our will. We will not be in the passenger seat, Scotland is a European nation.
— Ian Blackford (@IanBlackfordMP) January 15, 2019
His deputy, Kirsty Blackman, has shared the video she recorded for the BBC which argues that the deal is something people “don’t actually want”.
"#Brexit has been an absolute disaster from day one"@KirstySNP says the PM has reached a deal on something people "don't actually want" - and she'll reject it in the #BrexitVote
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) January 15, 2019
[tap to expand] https://t.co/8K8s3RkIjP pic.twitter.com/CZ6ReoItiz
Next we have the leader of the official opposition, though you’d be forgiven for not knowing that they are. Jeremy Corbyn says the Prime Minister will only have herself to blame when the deal is defeated.
If Theresa May's botched deal is defeated today she'll only have herself to blame after two wasted years negotiating with her cabinet and her bickering backbenchers instead of the EU.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 15, 2019
We need an election to have the chance to vote for a government that can bring people together pic.twitter.com/cL5sCt62Yo
Scottish Tory MP Ross Thomson has also had his say and claims that May's deal is "the biggest threat to the Union since #IndyRef".
I’m a Unionist first & foremost. I’m disappointed the EU let the PM down by not providing legally binding wording on the backstop. By hiving Northern Ireland off from the UK this plan is the biggest threat to the Union since #IndyRef. I will therefore vote against it #BrexitVote
— 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙋 (@RossThomson_MP) January 15, 2019
His colleague Jacob Rees-Mogg wants to see the deal defeated, but not because he wants a better one, because he wants to go off a cliff edge.
People did not vote for a deal. They voted to Leave. #CleanBrexit pic.twitter.com/rJxFdoLNYZ
— Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) January 15, 2019
Meanwhile the leader of the DUP, who were paid to prop up this minority Tory government, Arlene Foster said that tonight will be “historic but for the wrong reasons” and labels the backstop "toxic".
Tonight will be historic but for the wrong reasons. We will oppose the toxic backstop & vote against the WA. It’s time for a sensible deal which governs our exit from the EU & supports all parts of the UK.
— Arlene Foster (@DUPleader) January 15, 2019
And their party leader at Westminster, Nigel Dodds, predictably, also focuses on the backstop.
Tonight the DUP will vote down the Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement.
— Nigel Dodds (@NigelDoddsDUP) January 15, 2019
The Backstop is toxic for colleagues across the House. https://t.co/Nth7VCtxVI
LibDem (remeber them?) leader Vince Cable points out that May is not only facing defeat, she lacks a plan B.
Theresa May can only be facing the same crushing defeat in the Commons tonight. She has no Plan B. We do. Time for a #PeoplesVote https://t.co/e6bWWG5OF5
— Vince Cable (@vincecable) January 15, 2019
The Plaid Wood leader Leanne Wood focuses on the Tory hypocrisy when it comes to referendums.
Today the PM asks MPs to back the “will of the people”. Tories did not accept & respect the will of the Welsh people after 1997 devolution result. They continued to push for another referendum.
— LeanneWood 🏴 (@LeanneWood) January 15, 2019
Lies from the political leadership seriously damages democracy. https://t.co/2AGdnUEBAm
And their leader at Westminster, Liz Saville Roberts, shares a video in which she challenged the Prime Minister on the issue.
GWYLIWCH/WATCH: @LSRPlaid yn herio'r Prif Weinidog dros ei record ar barchu refferenda. / Liz Saville Roberts MP caught the Prime Minister out yesterday over her claims about the respect the Tories give to referendums. pic.twitter.com/fSohomeiXZ
— Plaid Cymru (@Plaid_Cymru) January 15, 2019
Green MP Caroline Lucas explains why she will be voting agains the deal.
I’ll vote against the deal in tonight's #BrexitVote because it would make life harder for those already struggling the most.
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) January 15, 2019
So tomorrow @theresa_may must ask EU to extend Article 50.
With no deal, Govt’s deal & all fantasy renegotiations rejected, MPs must deliver #PeoplesVote
Elsewhere, SNP MP Gavin Newlands changes the tone a little with a sarcastic swipe at the Daily Express front page from this morning.
Not sure how the rest of my SNP colleagues feel about this, but I'll just be beside myself if I lose the trust of the Daily Express....#Brexit #MeaningfulVote #BrexitVote https://t.co/yqLN4qsy8s
— Gavin Newlands MP (@GavNewlandsSNP) January 15, 2019
Finally, Christina McKelvie focuses on something slightly different though related given the timing of the announcement.
Last week Amber Rudd promised compassion, this week she sneaks this out the night before the biggest act of constitutional self harm in history. #Disgraceful #NastyParty https://t.co/LDlldtbk5o
— Christina McKelvie (@ChristinaSNP) January 15, 2019
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