TODAY will be yet another historic day in the Palace of Westminster. There’s been a fair few of them these last few years.
On Monday night, MPs voted to take charge of business in Parliament today, to allow “indicative votes” on possible alternatives to Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
MPs from all parties have submitted their suggestions for solutions to the current deadlock.
It’s up to Commons Speaker John Bercow to decide which of those proposals should be voted on by MPs.
At the time of going to press, it’s not yet known exactly what the options will be but they will almost certainly include:
lCrashing out of Europe without a deal.
lMay’s deal.
lA Canada-style free trade agreement.
lLabour’s plan for a customs union.
lA Norway-style close partnership with the EU.
lThe “softer” Brexit, known as Common Market 2.0, which would keep the UK in the EU single market as well as the customs union.
lRevoking Article 50.
lMPs could also be asked to consider another referendum.
They’ll be asked to enter the division lobby and given a ballot paper with all the options, and told to mark “yes” or “no” next to as many options as they like.
The paper might be pink - though the House of Commons clerks are considering changing to a different colour to mark the historic occasion.
Voting will begin at 7pm on Wednesday and last for half
an hour.
The results will be made public at around 9pm.
It’s not a secret ballot so we should know which way all MPs have voted. It’s not yet clear if it will be a free vote tomorrow or if the parties will whip their MPs – Government ministers have indicated free votes are likely.
It’s only the start of the process and it’s likely MPs will take control of Parliament’s agenda next Monday, for a further debate on the most popular proposals.
What’s important to remember is that unless MPs pass legislation, May does not have to accept their decision.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here