Events on knife-edge

Boris Johnson will bring his Brexit plan before MPs today in the form of a piece of legislation called the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, or WAB as it is known in Westminster.

Does Mr Johnson have any chance of passing this Bill? Ministers insist they “have the numbers” to push the agreement through, but the parliamentary situation appears to be on a knife edge, with Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and the DUP all opposed.

If he doesn’t pass the bill what will happen?

Failure to win the second reading vote today would see Mr Johnson blocked from implementing his Brexit plan and all eyes would then turn to the EU, who will decide whether or not to grant a delay to the Brexit process.

Will the EU grant an extension?

A number of key figures in the EU have said a technical extension to allow extra time for legislation to pass or a longer period to accommodate a general election or second referendum would be offered.

In the event an extension is granted this week, it is believed Mr Johnson would likely put forward a motion to dissolve Parliament and hold a general election. accuse the SNP of quietly supporting no-deal.

Some have claimed the SNP would benefit from the economic downturn predicted after a no-deal exit, with a possible increase in support for independence.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins asked Mr Gove: “Given that this deal provides for so many things that the SNP has rightly demanded, do you understand why the SNP continue to vote against it?

“Is it because they want a no-deal Brexit?”

Mr Gove said: “The failure of SNP MPs in the House of Commons to vote for this deal so far would allow a lot of people to draw the same conclusions as you have.”

SNP MSP Tom Arthur branded the claims “selfevidently ludicrous”.

He said: “The SNP has been the strongest advocate for remaining in the EU – working round the clock to stop Brexit and protect the interests of the Scottish people, who voted overwhelmingly to stay in the EU.”

Michael Gove: claims