Politicians haven’t coped particularly well with the uncertainty of the past three years, and neither side is likely to cover itself in glory this week as MPs opposed to a no-deal try to stop Boris Johnson from getting his way. Here’s a guide to what might happen in the next few days:
1. Emergency debate
MPs are back in the House of Commons tomorrow and they’re planning to get straight to work with an emergency debate.
Normally, these have a neutral motion for MPs to vote on, but Remainers hope that Speaker Bercow will allow the House to vote on whether they should take control of the parliamentary timetable.
Then they can introduce their own legislation which would force Mr Johnson to extend the Brexit deadline and block a no-deal exit on October 31. The PM could table a motion calling a general election at any stage, however, daring Jeremy Corbyn to oppose something he’s claimed he is desperate for.
This would kill the Bill and mean Britain would leave the EU without a deal.
Peers could also talk the Bill out, as it has to receive Royal Assent by Monday.
2. Vote of no confidence
Jeremy Corbyn has pursued this option doggedly, despite other parties insisting that they don’t want to put him in Downing Street.
Now, MPs are starting to realise they have just days left to stop a no-deal Brexit and cannot afford to be picky.
If the Commons does vote no confidence in the Government, it has 14 days to find an alternative.
READ MORE: Gloves off as Tories plot to topple Bercow for ‘blatant Brexit bias’
3. The courts
This week there is a preliminary hearing for the case brought by anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller, who now has the support of Sir John Major.
She is seeking a judicial review of the prorogation of Parliament but if she succeeds, her political allies may find they are accused of blocking democracy.
4. Humble address
Dominic Grieve and opposition MPs are drawing up a motion to express their unhappiness with Parliament being prorogued. They plan to appeal to the Queen to stop it, or force the publication of the Government’s no-deal preparations.
This is probably the least likely scenario but the most explosive, as it would drag the Queen into politics.
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