MPs have backed Sir Oliver Letwin's amendment and voted to take back control of the Brexit process, so what happens now?

Protestors both for and against Brexit face off outside Westminster Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA

MPs have voted to take control of Commons business and stage a series of “indicative” votes on the way forward for Brexit.

On Monday night, politicans endorsed Sir Oliver Letwin's cross-party Brexit plan by 329 votes to 302, inflicting a defeat on the Government, before passing the later motion to confirm it as Parliamentary business by 327 votes to 300.

The outcome means that the majority of MPs voted against the Government and severely denting Theresa May's Brexit authority.

The success of the Letwin amendment thus paves the way for a series of "indicative votes" in the Commons on Wednesday.

But while MPs have voted to take back control, how much influence will they really have, and how will events play out in the next few days?

MPs backed Sir Oliver Letwin's amendment Credit: PA
  • What happens now that MPs have taken control?

At 2pm on Wednesday, normal proceedings in the House of Commons will stop and MPs will then consider a backbench motion setting out the future Commons business, including the arrangements for staging indicative votes on the various options of a way forwards on Brexit.

If more than one business motion is tabled, it will be up to the Speaker John Bercow to decide which one is selected.

The architect of the amendment which was backed by MPs on Monday, Tory former minister Sir Oliver Letwin, said he hoped to be able to work with both the Government and the Labour frontbenches in coming to an agreement on how it should actually work.

After a debate lasting up to an hour, the Commons will then start to consider the various propositions that are put forward.

Result of the House of Commons vote on Oliver Letwin amendment Credit: PA Graphics
  • How long will it all take?

It is not clear, although Sir Oliver suggested it could be quite a lengthy process covering several sitting days, as the House whittles down the various options to one which can command a Commons majority.

He proposed they begin on a “plain vanilla basis” with MPs casting their votes on the various propositions on paper slips at the end of the first debate rather than going through the lobbies in a series of divisions which is the normal practice.

He said that should stop MPs trying to “game” the outcome based on the sequence in which the votes are called.

Once MPs have established which of the proposals have “significant” support, Sir Oliver said a way would have to be found – possibly through some form of preferential voting system – to “zero in” on the one around which a majority of MPs could coalesce.

  • Which options are likely to be considered?

It will be up to the Speaker, but Sir Oliver said he believed all “serious” proposals that were put forward should have a chance to be debated.

At one end of the spectrum that could include a second referendum or revoking the Article 50 withdrawal process altogether.

At the other it could include a no-deal Brexit, leaving the EU on World Trade Organisation terms.

In between, there could be proposals for a “softer” Norway-style Brexit – sometimes called Common Market 2.0 – the customs union plan favoured by Labour, and a “harder” Canada-style free trade deal.

Theresa May leaves the House of Commons following the key Brexit votes. Credit: PA
  • What has the Government said?

Ministers have warned MPs taking control of Commons business sets a “dangerous, unpredictable precedent” while Mrs May has said she will not necessarily be bound by the results – particularly if they are “undeliverable” by the EU.

That prompted Tory former minister Nick Boles to warn that MPs could bring forward legislation forcing the Government to act if ministers try to ignore the wishes of Parliament.

MPs endorsed Sir Oliver Letwin's cross-party Brexit plan by 329 votes to 302. Credit: PA
  • How long do MPs have to sort it all out?

The clock is ticking.

Last week the EU gave Mrs May until April 12 to come forward with an alternative plan if she cannot finally get her twice-rejected Brexit deal through the Commons in a “meaningful vote” this week.