British Parliament holds meaningful vote on revised Brexit deal

Fewer than three weeks before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU, PM Theresa May will submit today a revised Brexit deal to parliament.

Today’s ‘meaningful vote’ on an updated deal will see MPs scrutinise the agreement in light of additional EU assurances that the controversial ‘Irish backstop’ would be a temporary measure that would prevent the sudden return of a border rather than trapping the UK in the customs union.

A defeat would undermine May’s tenuous position as PM, with her cabinet rumoured to push resignation after March 29. In the event of a rejection by parliament, the government is scheduled to hold a vote on Wednesday on whether to take the prospect of a no-deal Brexit off the table. If rejected, the government would be granted permission or even forced by Parliament to seek a delay to the March 29 deadline with Brussels.

On the other hand, Eurosceptic MPs have increasingly started to support the revised deal, fearing their continued opposition to it could see Brexit delayed. May is still projected to lose today’s vote, but Eurosceptic support, while unlikely, could see an 11th hour turn in support.

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