Q & A

What does the Letwin amendment do?

In a radical constitutional shift, it seeks to take from the Government the power to decide Brexit and pass it to the House of Commons. Last night MPs passed the amendment by 329 to 302 and, as a result, the rules of the Commons – the standing orders – will be changed on Wednesday to allow a series of votes on what should happen next – a second referendum, Labour’s Brexit plan, a Customs Union Brexit, a so-called ‘Norway plus’ plan. Unusually, MPs will vote on pieces of paper which list the available options. The votes will not be binding on the Government, but will send a strong signal to Mrs May about what kind of Brexit ‘plan B’ a majority of MPs are ready to back. Defending the amendment, Tory Sir Oliver Letwin says he wants to stop No Deal because the Government hasn’t properly prepared for leaving without a deal. He argues Parliament should take over the process to find a Brexit deal which can command the support of the Commons. He is a supporter of the super-soft ‘Norway plus’ option, which is likely to mean the UK accepting single market rules without a say in them – including free movement.

What do critics say?

They say Mr Letwin’s plan amounts to a coup and is ‘constitutionally dangerous’. A leaked Whitehall analysis says it poses a ‘clear and present danger’ to ministers’ ‘ability to govern’.

Is an election more likely?

Several Cabinet ministers argued that if Parliament tried to instruct the executive to do something the Government deeply opposed, such as remaining in the customs union, an election could follow.

How could one take place?

There are two ways an election could happen. The first is that two thirds of MPs vote for an election when Mrs May proposes one. The second is that the PM loses a confidence vote and nobody can win one – ie command a majority – within a two-week period.

Why is Letwin doing it?