Theresa May dealt Brexit blow as Parliament seizes control

Prime Minister Theresa May leaving 10 Downing Street earlier on Monday.

After an eventful night in the House of Commons, we’re wrapping up our live coverage.

In case you haven’t had enough of tonight’s action, you can read our full report here.

As this phase of the Brexit process grinds towards its excruciating conclusion, mercifully, we might finally be about to learn what can command a majority among lawmakers in the House of Commons. And, in bad news for hard Brexiteers, it looks like their dream is dying.

On Monday night, Members of Parliament indicated to Theresa May that they want to wrestle Brexit out of the government’s hands and take control of the process.

This means indicative votes on Wednesday, in which the Commons will likely coalesce around a softer version of Brexit. If the diehard Brexiteers didn’t like May’s deal, they’re going to hate what could be about to come.

We already know that the majority of the Commons opposes a no-deal Brexit – something the Brexiteers see as a preferable alternative to May’s deal. These indicative votes will likely show us that a majority of MPs also favor closer ties to Europe as a way forward. ?

The EU is also committed to avoiding a no deal and getting this mess sorted. At last week’s EU Council summit, 27 European leaders agreed to the UK’s request to extend article 50. But it did so via a dual-track extension, which gives the UK wiggle room to prevent a cliff edge.

The EU’s so-called “flextension” allows the UK the option of delaying Brexit day until May 22, but on the condition that the PM’s deal gets approved this week. If it doesn’t, then it’s not the end of the world: the government will have until April 12 to tell the EU what it wants to do next.

At this point, it’s hard to see any option other than crashing into a no-deal scenario on April 12 or requesting a longer, possibly years-long extension. This would mean the UK remaining in the EU for an extended period and standing in European elections on May 23. And that option, already distasteful enough to Brexiteers, could also open a path to a second referendum and the possibility of Brexit being cancelled altogether. ?

With few options realistically available, hard Brexiteers need to think carefully.

Do they want to see MPs take control of Brexit and force through a version of Brexit they hate even more than May’s? Do they want to see Brexit delayed potentially for years?

Or can they hold their noses and, should May bring Meaningful Vote 3 back to the Commons this week, give her the nod she’s been waiting months for?

Theresa May’s wounded Brexit deal is gasping for life. But so too is the dream of a clean break with Europe.

A final point: with Parliament currently united only on the fact that it wants something other than May’s deal and neither main party having a working Parliamentary majority, things beyond Brexit look murky. Traditionally, the only way out of such a deadlock is some kind of public vote. We might be closer to a general election than many realize.

In one of the few light-hearted moments of Monday night’s Parliamentary session, lawmakers took a moment after the key votes to sing Happy Birthday to fellow MP Jim Shannon.

“I’m sure in a cordial spirit colleagues across the house will want to congratulate the honorable gentleman the member for Strangford on his birthday,” speaker John Bercow said.

Speaking after tonight’s votes, Jeremy Corbyn congratulated Parliament for “taking control” of the Brexit process.

“The Government’s approach has been an abject failure and this House must now find a solution,” the Labour leader said.

“The Government must take this process seriously. We do not know what the House will decide on Wednesday. But I know there are many members of this House who have been working for alternative solutions, and we must debate those to find a consensus.

“Where this Government has failed, this House must, and I believe will, succeed,” Corbyn said, adding that Parliament must also consider “whether any deal should be put to the people for a confirmatory vote.”

Jeremy Corbyn welcomed tonight's result from the House of Commons.

The main motion has been approved by 327 votes to 300.

The result simply reinforces the Letwin amendment which allows lawmakers to hold a series of indicative votes on various alternative Brexit options this week.

Labour MP and Shadow Brexit Secretary has tweeted that tonight’s result is “another humiliating defeat” for Theresa May “who has lost complete control of her party, her Cabinet and of the Brexit process.”

“Parliament has fought back,” he added, “and now has the chance to decide what happens next.”

30 Conservative lawmakers defied orders from Prime Minister Theresa May, who whipped her party to vote against the plan to take control of the Brexit process away from the government.

The rebels included three government ministers, at least one of whom – Richard Harrington – tweeted his resignation letter as the amendment went to a vote.

Here’s a breakdown of who voted for the Letwin amendment: 232 Labour, 30 Conservative, 34 SNP, 17 independents, 4 Plaid Cymru, 11 Liberal Democrats, 1 Green.

Votes by party for the Letwin amendment.

British lawmakers have rejected an amendment which called on the government to hold a vote on a no-deal Brexit if the UK is a week away from crashing out of the European Union.

The amendment by Labour’s Margaret Beckett sought to avert a no-deal scenario on April 12 by giving the House of Commons the option to reject a no-deal Brexit and request an extension.

Moments before the result of the Letwin amendment came down, pro-EU business minister Richard Harrington announced his resignation from the government, reportedly in order to vote in favor of the amendment.

“At this critical moment in our country’s history, I regret that the government’s approach to Brexit is playing roulette with the lives and livelihoods of the vast majority of people in this country,” Harrington wrote to the Prime Minister.

He said he was resigning in order “to do all I can to prevent this [a no-deal Brexit] from happening.”

MPs are now voting on the amendment by Labour’s Margaret Beckett, which says that if the UK is seven days away from crashing out of the European Union, parliament should be allowed to vote on whether to leave the EU with no deal, or whether to seek a further extension “to give time for Parliament to determine a different approach.”

Results are expected in under 15 minutes.

Parliament has voted to allow lawmakers to hold a series of indicative votes on various alternative Brexit options.

MPs have defied the government and voted in favor of an amendment that gives them control of parliament’s agenda this Wednesday. The passage of the Letwin amendment allows lawmakers to hold a series of indicative votes on various alternative Brexit options.?

Lawmakers could vote on as many as seven different options – which might include a second referendum, crashing out with no deal and a Norway-style deal with the EU – which would give the UK full access to the single market and the European Free Trade area. The votes are non-binding.?

An amendment which was tabled by the UK’s main opposition party, calling for the government to set out time for MPs to debate and find a majority for an alternative Brexit plan, has been withdrawn.

That means parliament will only vote on two amendments this evening.

MPs are now voting on a cross-party amendment, backed by Conservative remainers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve and Labour’s Hilary Benn, which calls for a series of votes on alternative Brexit plans to take place on Wednesday. The amendment would essentially allow lawmakers to seize control of the Brexit process.

Results are expected in under 15 minutes.

Anna Soubry, who recently left the Conservative party to join a breakaway cross-party bloc known as the Independent Group, has told parliament that lawmakers must take control of the Brexit process to “heal the huge divisions that this ghastly Brexit has created.”

Anna Soubry says that lawmakers must take control of the Brexit process.

In a powerful speech, Soubry – who has been at the receiving end of abuse by vocal pro-Brexit protesters – said that she doesn’t care what it costs her and that she will continue to put the UK and her constituents first.

It comes after British MPs were advised to take taxis home last week, over fears that they could be attacked by members of the public over the handling of Brexit.

One of the stranger elements of today is how much of a broken record the House of Commons sounds.

The UK political class has, throughout the entire Brexit process, become very good at debating exclusively with itself, seemingly unaware that people in Brussels – and across Europe – are paying attention to their Brexit delusions.

Some have held strong to the idea that at the last minute the EU would blink and offer the UK the deal of a lifetime. Others have believed that the EU would take control of the process, effectively willing Brussels to interfere in the UK’s domestic politics.

Last week, the EU gave absolute clarity on its position: it wants to avoid a no deal, but the UK’s destiny really is in the UK’s hands. Now is the time for the House of Commons to come up with something.

Given the sense of urgency, it’s nothing short of extraordinary that, once again, we have listened to MPs talk for hours about the same old stuff.

Conservative MP Nicholas Soames told parliament that Brexit has “degraded” the UK’s reputation, adding that it had “gradually sucked the lifeblood out of the government.”

Scottish National Party Foreign Affairs and Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins has told the House of Commons that it “must seize control” of the Brexit process tonight in order to hold indicative votes and “start to find a way out of this mess.”

“The government has run out of options and run out of ideas and we need to step up,” Gethins said.

“It’s not a farce, it’s a tragedy and a tragedy that’s taking us all down with it.”

He said that Theresa May’s government has “failed spectacularly.”

“I wouldn’t let this lot anywhere near the TV remote in my house, never mind the most important decision that we have to make for generations,” Gethins quipped.

Conservative MP Oliver Letwin, who’s backing the amendment which seeks to take control of the Brexit process from the government, has told the House of Commons his amendment has to be pressed to a vote because it would allow parliament to end the impasse.

“It is not some kind of constitutional revolution,” he told parliament.

“It is an opportunity for the House?of Commons to begin – and I want to stress the word begin – the?process of working its way towards identifying a way forward?that can command a majority in this House.”?

Conservative MP Oliver Letwin.

Theresa May’s de facto deputy has told parliament that he hopes lawmakers will have the opportunity to vote on her Brexit deal again this week.

He said May’s deal was “in the interests of the UK” and one that “both those who supported leave and those who voted remain should be able to rally behind.”

Lidington also told the House of Commons that the government would provide time for MPs to debate alternative ways forward on Brexit if they reject Oliver Letwin’s amendment tonight, which calls for a series of indicative votes.

Letwin asked Lidington if the government intended to “operate exactly the same principals” set out in the amendment.

However, Lidington said he couldn’t “give a commitment immediately for that level of detail.”

Prime Minister Theresa May’s de facto deputy, David Lidington, opened tonight’s Brexit debate by reminding lawmakers that the government had listened when they voted against a no-deal Brexit and in favor of delaying the country’s exit from the EU.

“Neither [vote] was legally binding but in each case the government has honored the wishes of the House,” he told parliament.

“I hope that might provide a modicum of reassurance that in this government we do not, we have not and do not intend to be dismissive in the least of how this House decides or votes.”

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, has chosen three amendments for MPs to debate and vote on tonight.

They include:

Labour’s amendment:

The Labour Party is asking the government to set out time for MPs to debate and find a majority for an alternative Brexit plan. That could include Labour’s own plan, a customs union, common market membership or a second referendum, the party says.

Oliver Letwin’s amendment:

A cross-party plan, backed by Conservative Remainers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve and Labour’s Hilary Benn, calls for a series of votes on alternative Brexit plans to take place on Wednesday, essentially taking control of the Brexit process from the government.

Margaret Beckett’s amendment:

This amendment says that if the UK is seven days away from leaving the EU without a deal, Parliament should be allowed to vote on whether to leave without a deal, or seek a further extension “to give time for Parliament to determine a different approach.”

Here’s what we have learned from Theresa May’s statement to parliament just now.

1) Theresa May said there was not yet enough support to hold a third vote on her Withdrawal Agreement. That pretty much rules out a so-called Meaningful Vote 3 on Tuesday. May did not, however, rule out a vote sometime late this week. Remember, under the deal struck with the EU at the end of last week, if the House of Commons passes her deal by March 29, Britain can leave the EU by May 22.

2) May appears resigned to Parliament seizing control of the Brexit process. The House of Commons votes later on an “amendable motion,” which will likely include the option of lawmakers holding a series of “indicative” votes on various Brexit scenarios taking place this week. May said she did not favor this approach, but appeared to accept that this was the most likely outcome.

3) The government could ignore the results of the indicative votes. The Prime Minister said that, if the Commons votes in favor of a Customs Union or some other off-the-shelf arrangement, her government wouldn’t necessarily implement it. Such a plan would be contrary to commitments the Conservative Party made to voters before the last general election, she said.

So what happens now? If MPs seize control of the process tonight, Wednesday becomes a big day. Finally, MPs could say what kind of Brexit they really want, instead of voting against things all the time.

It appears that May will let this process play out. The question is, why, if she has every intention of ignoring the result?

Here’s a theory. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that after those indicative votes on Wednesday, a parliamentary consensus emerges behind a “softer” Brexit. May could immediately get on the phone to her counterparts in Europe and test the water on that revised arrangement. While the EU’s behavior has not been exactly predictable of late, it has constantly said that it stands ready to work with the UK to avoid a no deal. And make no mistake, passing the Withdrawal Agreement is by far the EU’s preferred outcome.

So let’s work on the assumption that the EU makes positive noises to a revised deal. That gives May some leverage. She could then bring her (original) deal back for a third time before the end of the week, and threaten her backbenchers with a choice. Unite behind me, as Conservatives, and deliver Brexit on my terms. Or, face reality: The only alternative is the softer Brexit you hate, and which could do untold damage to party unity.

Again, this is just a theory. But if events play out like this, May has some interesting options and MPs have some hard choices.?

Theresa May has confirmed that lawmakers will debate the so-called “statutory instrument” to push the date of Brexit back past March 29 on Wednesday.

Earlier she had told the House of Commons that it would take place later this week and added that even if the change wasn’t approved by British lawmakers, it would not affect the UK’s new departure date because it had already been changed in international law.

Opposition MPs including Labour’s David Lammy have reacted angrily to May’s suggestion that she could disregard the results of indicative votes in parliament.

Another Labour MP, Yvette Cooper tweeted: “PM says she’ll ‘commit to engaging constructively with this process’ of indicative votes. Yet she simultaneously rules out ever supporting a customs union even if it is the product of an indicative vote. What’s constructive or engaged about that??”

In the Commons, Jeremy Corbyn called on May to respect the outcome of indicative votes.

“Rather than trying to engineer a way to bring back the same twice-rejected deal, will the Prime Minister instead allow, rather than fight, plans for indicative votes?” he said. “She cannot both accept her deal does not have the numbers and stand in the way of finding an alternative that may have the numbers.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joined a chorus of lawmakers in criticizing May’s statement last Wednesday, in which she pinned the blame for delaying Brexit on MPs who had failed to back her deal.

May was widely condemned for the comments. MPs were advised to travel home in taxis due to an increased danger of violence after May’s speech.

She once again sounded a note of contrition, as she did at the European Council summit last week, by saying she was expressing her “frustration” and that MPs have a difficult job to do.

May introduced a new catchphrase to British politics –?a “slow Brexit,” the result of any Brexit option that isn’t the deal she negotiated with the EU.

Here’s what she said:

All the Brexit options would require going back to the EU and requesting a longer extension to the process, she told MPs. Aside from leaving without a deal, which she ruled out, “the alternative is to pursue a different form of Brexit or a second referendum,”?she said.

The European Council said it would be open to considering a different plan for Brexit if May’s deal is not passed by April 12.

Seeking a long extension would require the UK to hold European elections in May, the Prime Minister added, but she said such a move would not help “bring the British people together.”

“A slow Brexit, which extends Article 50 beyond May 22, forces the British people to take part in European elections and gives up control of any of our borders, laws, money or trade is not a Brexit that will bring the British people together.”

“The Government’s approach to Brexit has now become a national embarrassment,” Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in response to May’s statement.

“After two years of failure, broken promise after broken promise, the prime minister finally accepted the inevitable last week and voted to extend Article 50 and went to Brussels to negotiate,” he added.

Corbyn confirmed that Labour will support the Letwin amendment for indicative votes, which would allow MPs to set our their preferred way forward on Brexit on Wednesday.

The British government has introduced a so-called “statutory instrument” to push the date of Brexit back past March 29, May told lawmakers, adding that she expects that it will be voted on later in the week.

But she said the European Union’s legal action had already changed the date of Brexit, and that the British government has already agreed to the change – so even if the change in date is not passed by British lawmakers, it would not affect Britain’s new departure date.

“Unless this House agrees to it, no deal will not happen,” May says, adding: “No Brexit must not happen.”

It appeared to signal a significant shift in her attitude towards a no-deal exit, though she acknowledged that a no-deal exit continues to be the default option.

Parliament rejected leaving Europe without a deal by 321 votes to 278 earlier this month.

“Changing the Withdrawal Agreement is simply not an option,” Theresa May tells MPs in the House of Commons.

She confirms that the government will oppose the amendment that parliament will vote on tonight, making time for indicative votes on Wednesday.

She says she is “skeptical” on the concept of indicative votes, as they could provide contradictory intentions and does says she does not commit to following the way forward that MPs lay out.

Theresa May tells parliament there isn’t enough support for her to bring her Brexit deal back to the Commons for a third meaningful vote.

May had earlier been unable to convince the DUP, the party which props up her minority government, to support her bill, essentially dooming its chances for success.

The Prime Minister is making a statement on Brexit to the House of Commons. She’ll be followed by the leader of the opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, right, accompanied by his Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer.

Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn had a “frank and comprehensive exchange of views” when they met to discuss Brexit earlier this afternoon, a Labour Party spokesman said.

Corbyn made clear that there was “no basis for bringing back the meaningful vote on Theresa May’s deal for a third time,” according to the spokesman.

The meeting lasted for over an hour and also included Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and his counterpart, Labour’s Keir Starmer.

Labour’s statement also said that Corbyn “did not accept the Prime Minister’s suggestion that the Withdrawal Agreement could be separated from the Political Declaration.” This suggests that May could be considering having separate votes on the two aspects of her Brexit plan. Labour broadly supports the Withdrawal Agreement, and Labour’s statement did not explain why Corbyn objected to both being voted on separately.

The EU only requires the Withdrawal Agreement to be ratified in order to proceed to the next stage of the Brexit process.

May is yet to confirm whether her Brexit bill will be put back to parliament this week.

Theresa May’s efforts to pass her twice-defeated Brexit deal this week look to have been dealt a potentially fatal blow by the DUP, which is still holding out from giving her the votes she needs.

The party, which props up May’s minority government, has been opposed to the plan from the start due to its controversial backstop – an insurance policy to prevent a hard border in Ireland.

Nothing has changed in the DUP’s stance and they will not support the third iteration of her deal this week, CNN affiliate ITV News reports.

That makes it virtually impossible for May to flip the 75 MPs required to pass her bill.

Theresa May’s future was not raised at today’s Cabinet meeting, according to Britain’s Press Association – suggesting that ministers reportedly planning to offer the Prime Minister an ultimatum didn’t follow through.

But the spokesman did not give any date for a third meaningful vote on May’s Brexit deal.

May walked her Cabinet through the statement she will give to parliament later today, her official spokesman told reporters.

The spokesman also reiterated May’s opposition to the Letwin amendment which could pass in the House of Commons later today. If it does, it would take control of parliament’s order paper from the government and lead to a series of indicative votes on Wednesday.

“Tying the Government’s hands in this way by seeking to commandeer the order paper would have far-reaching implications for the way in which the UK is governed and the balance of powers and responsibilities in our democratic institutions,” the spokesman said.

May leaves Downing Street with Stephen Barclay earlier.

Cabinet members looked stony-faced as they left Downing Street today, following a crunch meeting with Theresa May. None of the lawmakers answered questions on their way out.

May hurried out of the famous door and into a car with Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, offering just a brief glance to the gathered journalists. “What’s the plan, Prime Minister?” she was asked. “Is this the last throw of the dice?”

Nearly half of her cabinet were set to confront May at the meeting, urging her to quit in return for support for her Brexit deal, according a report by The Sunday Times newspaper over the weekend.

It’s still unclear what took place behind closed doors, but an indication could come in parliament later when May speaks to MPs.

Michael Gove, David Lidington and Boris Johnson (left to right)

Rumours swirl through Westminster that Theresa May’s days in office are numbered. There have been attempts to get rid of her before, and they have all failed. At the moment the decision lies entirely with the Prime Minister. But as we approach a crunch point in both Brexit and her premiership, here’s a look at the people who might consider chucking their hat in the ring, should the opportunity arrive.

Michael Gove: The prominent Brexit campaigner has run for leadership of the Tory party once before - in dramatic fashion. He ran Boris Johnson’s campaign for party leader in 2016, but withdrew his support for Johnson and declared his own candidacy before losing that race to May.

Gove is now the Environment Secretary and has aligned himself closely to May. He voted in favor the prime minister’s Brexit deal in parliament, and this morning offered his support - for now.

“We need to ensure that we leave the European Union and we do so in an orderly fashion, and as many people as possible (need to) recognise that that means supporting the Prime Minister and making sure she gets the deal through,” he told the BBC this morning.

David Lidington: May’s de facto deputy and ultra-loyalist is seen by many as the Prime Minister’s preferred option to continue her agenda, should she be forced to stand aside.

But the 62-year-old’s pro-Remain past could cause him trouble from Brexit-supporting ministers. He was Europe Minister from 2010 until 2016, before campaigning and voting for Britain to stay in the EU.

He attempted to dampen speculation that he was seeking the job on Sunday. “I don’t think that I’ve any wish to take over from the PM (who) I think is doing a fantastic job,” he told reporters. “I have absolute admiration for the way she is going about it.”

Boris Johnson: The former mayor of London has been a frequent thorn in Theresa May’s side, repeatedly stating his opposition to her Brexit plan and resigning as Foreign Secretary over the strategy last year.

Johnson has been linked with the top job many times and looked set to make a run in 2016, before Michael Gove jumped out in front of him and made a bid himself. Johnson suggested May’s Brexit deal could pass if she stood aside in an opinion piece for the Telegraph newspaper today, which many have taken to mean he is positioning himself for her job.

The hopeful could be hurt by his history of gaffes, insults towards foreign leaders, and racially-charged comments. He’s been criticized for calling Africans “piccaninnies” and Papua New Guineans “cannibals,” and wrote last year that Muslim women wearing veils resemble postboxes and bank robbers.

Those three are the frontrunners, but they likely won’t be the only names floated if May signals her intention to step down.

From the pro-Remain wing of the party, figures like former Home Secretary and current head of the Work and Pensions department Amber Rudd could consider a run. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has also held prominent roles in government under two Prime Ministers, and could lean towards making a move.

Several pro-Brexit MPs could also run for the job, especially if they fear another one-time Remain-backing figure would be the most likely candidate. Former Brexit secretaries David Davis and Dominic Raab both quit the post in protest at May’s approach, while hardline backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg is a favorite among grassroots Conservative members.

A sign at Paris' Gare du Nord railway station, where the Eurostar train connects with London.

The European Commission announced earlier that it had completed preparations for a no-deal Brexit. There’s plenty of details in their preparations, some of which have been released previously, outlining what changes will occur if the UK crashes out on April 12 – a scenario that the Commission claims is “increasingly likely.”

Travel: UK citizens will likely need a residence permit or a long-stay visa if they want to visit an EU country for more than 90 days.They’ll be subject to “thorough checks of all entry conditions” and won’t be able to use the separate lanes for EU and European Economic Area citizens at airports.

But the measures say that visa-free travel to the EU for UK nationals is in the process of “final adoption,” and would be granted if the UK also grants reciprocal?and non-discriminatory?visa-free travel to all EU citizens.

Aviation: The EU will implement measures to ensure “basic air connectivity” can continue after a no-deal, “in order to?avoid full interruption of air traffic between?the EU and the UK.”

Road travel: There will also be a “continuation of safe basic?road?connectivity between the EU and the UK for a limited period of time,” provided that the UK agrees to give the same treatment to EU companies and operators.

Climate change: The measures ensure that the EU’s Emissions Trading System, which sets a cap on emissions by member states in an effort to limit global warming, will not be affected by a no-deal scenario.

Students: Students and trainees taking part in the EU’s Erasmus+ program, which allows people to study abroad in another EU country, will be able to?complete their studies and continue to receive the relevant funding or grants.

A protester at Saturday's march through London for a second referendum.

An online petition calling on the government to revoke Article 50 and cancel the Brexit process altogether has been signed more than five million times.

At the time of writing, more than 5.4 million names have been added to the petition. The number soared shortly after May’s speech on Wednesday night and the call has continued to pick up signatures through the weekend.

It caused parliament’s petitions website to crash numerous times, and its call is set to be debated by lawmakers – parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for a debate.

Meanwhile, the House of Commons’ petitions committee has responded to claims from pro-Brexit observers that the petition was being rigged with signatures from abroad.

“A few people have been talking about fraud and overseas signatures. As of this afternoon, approximately 96% of signatures on the petition were from the UK. That’s broadly what we’d expect for a petition like this,” the committee said on Twitter.

When there’s speculation over a British prime minister’s position, it seems ex-foreign secretary Boris Johnson is never too far away.

The Conservative pro-Brexit MP has been linked with the role on numerous occasions, and an opinion piece he’s written for today’s Daily Telegraph newspaper suggests he may be throwing his hat into the ring once more.

Johnson, who quit as foreign secretary last year, has been a longstanding critic of Theresa May’s deal. But he suggests it could pass if she sets out how the next phase of negotiations “will be different from the first,” a point some are taking as a none-too-subtle call for May to stand aside.

“Extend the implementation period to the end of 2021 if necessary; use it to negotiate a free trade deal; pay the fee; but come out of the EU now – without the backstop. It is time for the PM to channel the spirit of Moses in Exodus, and say to Pharaoh in Brussels – LET MY PEOPLE GO,” Johnson concludes.

Such a plan has been explicitly ruled out by the EU. Both May and EU leaders have said it is unfeasible to remove the backstop – an insurance policy designed to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland – from the deal, and the UK will not have an implementation period if it leaves without an agreement.

Meanwhile, Johnson’s column has been poorly received by some MPs, including Labour’s Jess Phillips, who says it made her “feel sick.”

The European Commission has completed its preparations for a no-deal Brexit, warning that the prospect is “increasingly likely” on April 12.

The body says it has contingency planning in place to tackle the fallout of a no-deal exit, but says such a scenario will cause “significant disruption for citizens and businesses.”

Hundreds of thousands march through London on Saturday demanding a second referendum, which will be among the amendments put to the Speaker of the House later.

The House of Commons will debate an amendable motion on the Brexit deal today, giving them the chance to vote this evening on whichever proposed amendments are selected by the Speaker of the House, John Bercow.

Here are the seven amendments tabled by Monday morning which the Speaker will consider.

Indicative votes: A cross-party plan, backed by Tory Remainers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve and Labour’s Hilary Benn, calls for a series of votes on alternative Brexit plans to take place on Wednesday, essentially taking control of the Brexit process from government.

Reject no-deal: Labour’s Yvette Cooper is calling on the government to rule out a no-deal exit from the EU on April 12, and to set out by Thursday how it will make sure a crash-out won’t happen.

Let MPs find an alternative: The Labour Party is asking the government to set out time for MPs to debate and find a majority for an alternative Brexit plan. That could include Labour’s own plan, a customs union, common market membership or a second referendum, the party says.

Plan for a second referendum: The breakaway Independent Group, made up of former Labour and Conservative MPs who quit over Brexit, are calling for the government to make the “necessary preparations” for a second Brexit referendum. The plan comes after one million people, according to organizers, marched in London demanding another vote.

There are three other amendments tabled by backbenchers or smaller parties. They include a call for the government to ask the Commons whether it approves a no-deal or extending Article 50 again, a pro-Brexit amendment asking the government to reaffirm its commitment to leave the EU, and a plan for a two-year extension to hold a second referendum.

One of Britain’s most-read tabloids has dedicated its front page to an editorial calling on Theresa May to resign.

“Theresa May must announce today that she will stand down as soon as her Brexit deal is approved and Britain is out of the EU,” The Sun says “with regret.”

The paper suggests hardline Tory Brexiteers and the Democratic Unionist Party, the party that props up May’s minority government, should then back her bill to get it over the line. May “will then go down in history as a great public servant, as the leader who delivered Brexit and proved to the British people that our democracy is robust and far, far more important than any individual,” it says. “PM, it’s time to move on.”

It’s not the only newspaper to focus on the speculation swirling around May’s position this week.

The Guardian features pictures of four prominent leave-backing MPs arriving for a meeting with May at her country house retreat, Chequers, on Sunday. “Brexiters pile on pressure as May’s deal drifts away,” the paper’s headline reads.

The pro-leave Daily Express is more sympathetic to the prime minister, calling those reportedly trying to oust her “Remainer plotters” and urging May to sack them. “Get behind PM and sort out Brexit!” reads their headline.

Meanwhile, The Times’ headline reads: “May clings on and defies call to set No 10 exit date,” while the i newspaper goes with: “Lonely May refuses to stand down.”

Theresa May has defied long odds to hold onto her position before.

The UK Prime Minister has withstood a disastrous snap election, a flood of cabinet resignations and two historically significant defeats to her Brexit deal during her nearly three-year-long stint.

But her post is in jeopardy once more. The Sunday Times newspaper reported that almost half of her cabinet will confront her today, urging her to stand aside in return for support for her Brexit deal.

The paper reports that her de facto deputy and close ally David Lidington is being lined up to take over, while The Mail on Sunday says Environment Secretary Michael Gove is the “consensus choice” for the job. Both have since stressed their loyalty to the PM.

Speculation was heightened further when George Freeman, a Conservative MP and former policy adviser to May, said on Saturday evening that it was “all over” for May.

Downing Street told CNN that it would not comment on speculation from newspapers, and that the rumors have not affected the schedule for the upcoming week.

But the speculation and reported positioning from her rivals makes for an intriguing subplot to today’s events in parliament and will only be heightened if her Brexit plan is finally killed off later.

This could be the week that everything comes together on Brexit – or everything falls apart.

After months of refusing to cede barely any ground on her plans for leaving the European Union, UK Prime Minister?Theresa May is likely to find control of Brexit is taken from her hands.

Amid talk of a Cabinet coup against her and hundreds of thousands of people marching to demand a second referendum – as well as a petition to cancel Brexit altogether reaching 5 million signatures – the Prime Minister would be forgiven for wanting to relinquish some control.

Lawmakers will vote Monday night on whether to come up with alternatives to the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, which has twice been defeated in the Commons. If this motion succeeds, they will take part in a series of indicative votes on as many as seven options on Wednesday – including a second referendum and a hybrid of May’s existing deal that would keep the UK in a customs union with the EU.

Incredibly, while Brexit has dominated the British political agenda for months, Wednesday – two days before the original leave date of March 29 – will be the first opportunity Parliament has had to choose from a menu of alternative options to May’s widely-criticized deal.

Read more from Jane Merrick here.

Cabinet members leave 10 Downing Street last week.

Monday will be a long day for UK lawmakers. Here’s what’s coming up:

10 a.m. (6 a.m. ET): Prime Minister Theresa May holds a crucial cabinet meeting with her ministers. Reports over the weekend suggested several of those in her own government will confront the PM at this session, with The Sunday Times newspaper claiming as many as 11 – almost half of her cabinet – will urge her to quit in return for support on her Brexit deal.

Lunchtime: May will hold talks with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn. The Labour Party head was invited to cross-party talks with May and other lawmakers last week, but reportedly left because breakaway MP Chuka Umunna was present.

3:30 p.m.: The PM will head to the House of Commons to face lawmakers, where she’ll make a statement on last week’s European Council summit. At that meeting she was granted a conditional delay to Brexit – but if her deal fails, Britain could still crash out of the EU on April 12.

5 p.m. onwards: Politicians debate the next steps of the Brexit process.

10 p.m.: Votes on any amendments selected by the Speaker of the House earlier in the day will take place. They could significantly alter the government’s plans and give more power to parliament.

Monday marks the start of another crucial week in the Brexit process.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will likely be spending much of today once again trying to persuade Members of Parliament to back the deal she agreed with the European Union.

The task of flipping 75 lawmakers to win a parliamentary vote is a difficult one, especially after she alienated many by?blaming them for the Brexit chaos in a speech last Wednesday.

There’s also the chance that a third vote on May’s Withdrawal Agreement won’t even take place, if she cancels the vote due to a lack of support.

May will be holding a crucial cabinet meeting this morning, where reports suggest a number of her own ministers will urge her to quit in return for support for her deal.

There are also plans for MPs to press for votes on alternative Brexit options this week, such as a softer Brexit – which could seek a?Norway-style deal with the EU, giving the UK full access to the single market and the European Free Trade area. A second referendum and a Canada-style free trade will likely also get a hearing, as well crashing out with no deal.

Today, the Speaker of the House will select a number of amendments laying out a possible way forward. Votes on the selected amendments will take place tonight.