(Bloomberg) -- Britain’s Parliament meets Saturday to pass judgment on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. How will the day play out?
- 0830 European Research Group of pro-Brexit Conservatives meets, to try to agree a position. The premier needs almost all of them to support him if his deal is to pass
- 0930 Parliament opens. Johnson will set out his deal in a statement, taking questions from Members of Parliament
- 1100 (roughly) When Johnson’s statement is finished, they move to debating the deal. Speaker of the Commons John Bercow announces which amendments will be voted on. The one to watch has been proposed by Oliver Letwin
- 1430 (roughly) It’s likely an MP will propose moving to a vote around this point.
How are the votes stacking up? See our tally: Can Johnson Pull Off the Impossible? We’re Counting the Votes
They will vote on the amendments first. The government wants its motion not to be amended, so a “No” vote is a win for Johnson, and a “Yes” vote is a defeat. Each vote takes around 15 minutes.
If Letwin’s motion passes:
- Johnson is required by law to seek a delay to Brexit
- They will then vote on the motion as amended.
- The government can’t withdraw its motion at this point.
- Letwin argues that if his amendment has passed, the vote can still indicate how much support there is for Johnson’s deal. But it would have no legal effect.
- They will vote on the unamended motion
- A “Yes” vote is a win for Johnson. He will not be required to seek a delay to Brexit
- A “No” vote means Johnson is required to ask the European Union for more time
