WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

BY JASON BEATTIE WHAT HAS THERESA MAY ANNOUNCED? The PM has finally accepted Brexit could be delayed after promising to put her revised deal to MPs by March 12.

If her withdrawal agreement is defeated again, the next day MPs will have the opportunity to vote to stop us leaving without a deal on March 29.

Finally, if that passes, MPs will have the chance on March 14 to back a motion calling for a short extension to Article 50, the two-year mechanism for leaving the EU. WHY HAS SHE DONE THIS? Until yesterday the Prime Minister had repeatedly ruled out extending Article 50.

But she was forced to change tack in the face of a revolt by Remain-voting Tory ministers.

They had warned that if she failed to give MPs the chance to prevent a no-deal Brexit they would have quit today to back an amendment by Labour MP Yvette Cooper which would have done exactly that. SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW? offer a form of words to help May sell her deal. She is gambling that enough Tory Brexiteers will drop their objections rather than risk losing Brexit altogether or facing a second referendum. IS A NO-DEAL NOW OFF THE TABLE? A no-deal Brexit is still a real threat.

MPs’ chance to rule out leaving without a deal is strictly time-limited. because May has insisted any delay to the March 29 deadline can only last until the end of June.

The Prime Minister said even after a delay MPs will face the same choice: “Leave with a deal, leave with no deal, or have no Brexit.”

This could see some Brexiteers vote down her plans again on March 12 in the hope they can still secure a no-deal departure. HOW WOULD AN EXTENSION TO ARTICLE 50 WORK IN PRACTICE?