Why we will likely ask for more time

HAS A NO-DEAL BREXIT VANISHED? Not quite. MPs backed a motion saying we should not leave the EU without a deal. But the vote is not legally binding.

The default position is we will still leave on March 29 unless there is an extension.

If there is no extension, the only way to guarantee a no-deal Brexit is to revoke Article 50, thus abandoning Brexit.

WILL THERE BE AN EXTENSION? Almost certainly. MPs will vote today on whether to ask the EU for more time. Even if Theresa May had won Tuesday’s vote on her Brexit plan, she would have needed an

extension as there is not enough time before March 29 to get all the legislation needed for Brexit through Parliament. HOW WOULD AN EXTENSION WORK? To get an extension requires unanimous approval of the other 27 EU countries.

They are likely to grant this as they do not want to be responsible for a no-deal Brexit. But Brussels has said there must be a “credible” reason for an extension and clarity on how additional time will be used.

Mrs May last night said that if MPs back

a deal soon, there will be a short, technical extension. But she warned that if they fail to back a deal and don’t want no-deal, there will a long extension that will require the UK to take part in May’s European elections. Some EU leaders believe there should be a longer extension as this could lead to a softer Brexit or no Brexit. IS THERESA MAY’S DEAL DEAD?

Not necessarily. The Prime Minister could put it to the Commons for a third

time in the hope the Leave camp will realise they could lose Brexit entirely if they do not back it.

But Parliament could seize control of the process. MPs looking for a softer Brexit will today push for the Government to hold votes to find out which Brexit has the most support – a Norway-style deal, a Canada-style deal, no-deal, May’s deal, or a referendum.

The Government could then be forced to adopt a different plan.