How does the Brexit deal debate in the House of Commons work?

Q What is the current plan? A The government has allotted time on five days for the deal to be debated. This includes up to eight hours of debate yesterday, today, tomorrow and on Monday, with the votes expected on 11 December. Amendments have been tabled by two Labour MPS to extend the time for debate.

Q What are they debating? A

The Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by the government, which outlines the terms under which the UK will leave the EU and the desired future relationship. MPS are being asked to approve this by supporting a motion tabled by the Prime Minister.

Q Can MPS change what has been put forward? A

Yes. Speaker John Bercow can select up

to six amendments which MPS can then vote on.

Q What are the amendments?

A

Various amendments have been tabled. Labour’s official proposal would decline to approve the deal because it fails to provide for a permanent UK-EU customs union and “strong” single market deal. It also voices concerns over Northern Ireland. And it outlines that MPS will “pursue every option” that prevents the UK leaving the EU on the terms of Mrs May’s deal or leaving without a deal. Tory and Labour backbenchers have tabled an amendment which seeks to reject Mrs May’s deal while avoiding a no-deal Brexit.

Q What will happen with the votes?

A

Some 20 Conservative MPS have said publicly they will vote against Mrs May’s deal, 45 have said they will not vote in favour and more than 20 have said they are unhappy with it. With Mrs May’s minority government allies the DUP also expressing their own concerns, the chance of the deal being approved with a simple majority of 320 of the 639 MPS eligible to vote is highly unlikely. Any amendment would need to appeal to a wide enough group of MPS to receive the required votes to be successful. Abstentions are likely on all votes.

Q How does the debate work?

A

Ministers are expected to open and close each day, with the Opposition frontbench also having their say. Other MPS will be chosen by the Speaker to make speeches, although their seniority – including positions previously held in government – usually influences the running order. A time limit is likely on backbench speeches, with MPS fearing it could be as low as four minutes.

Q What does a vote involve?

A

MPS walk through division lobbies – in essence, rooms either side of the Commons chamber. They have eight minutes to reach the division lobbies when a vote is called. They register their vote on a tablet device and the result is usually announced within 15 minutes of the vote being called. If there is more than one vote, MPS tend to wait in the chamber and the process is repeated.

Q What about the House of Lords?

A

They will spend three days debating the deal, yesterday, today and on Monday.