MPS SKETCH OUT BREXIT SCENARIOS

British MPs state preferences on leaving EU

IN an unprecedented deve lopment and in defiance of the government’s wishes, British MPs picked up pen and paper yesterday to state their preferences on possible alternatives to Theresa May’s Brexit plan.

The MPs aim to find a way through the political deadlock nearly three years after Britain voted to quit the European Union.

They voted on Monday night to clear the timetable in the House of Commons from 2pm yesterday, to allow a debate on a number of different Brexit scenarios.

These options were chosen by Speaker John Bercow from proposals put forward by MPs, likely covering various future trading arrangements with the EU and the issue of a new public vote.

At 7pm, MPs collected ballot papers setting out the various ideas, and be asked to mark “Aye” or “Noe” — for “Yes” or “No” in antiquated English — alongside each one. They can agree to as many options as they want.

Normally, MPs vote in person on one motion at a time, but organisers were concerned the order of such votes might influence the outcome.

While the votes are being counted, MPs debated and voted on the deal agreed with the EU last week to delay Brexit to at least April 12.

The date has already been changed from Friday in international law but must be changed in UK legislation too.

MPs have twice rejected the withdrawal deal May has negotiated with the EU, and she admitted on Monday she did not yet have the votes needed to try for a third time this week.

With the clock ticking to Brexit day, parliament is tired of wai ting.

The decision by MPs to take control of the Commons timetable is unprecedented and sparked outrage in the government, which warned of a “dangerous” precedent.

However, some experts suggest it simply reflects the fact that May cannot command a majority in the Commons.

The group of MPs who conceived the idea, is led by former minister Oliver Letwin.

Any votes would not be legally binding on the government and although May promised to engage “constructively” with the process, she has suggested she might ignore them.

However, her government is worried that MPs will ultimately use their new-found control of the Commons timetable to pass legislation that would force May to change her approach.

If she still refused, she would set up a stand-off that could result in parliament declaring it had no confidence in her government.

The only thing MPs have agreed on so far — other than that they dislike May’s plan — is that they do not want to leave the EU without a deal.

However, a no-deal exit is the default position unless Brexit is further delayed — or undone.

European leaders last week said that if May’s deal does not pass by Friday, Britain had until April 12 to “indicate a way forward.”