CRUNCH TIME
Tonight’s crunch Brexit vote in Commons explained – how it could affect Theresa May’s plan
MPs will tonight have their say on what happens next in the Brexit process
THERESA May faces yet another crunch vote tonight as MPs have their say on the way forward for Brexit.
And while the showdown isn't a rerun of the "meaningful vote" on whether to approve her deal, it could still lead to big changes in the UK's strategy.
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What happens in tonight’s vote?
The vote in Parliament this evening is a result of the defeat of Mrs May's deal earlier this month.
The law states that after the deal's defeat, the PM must make a statement in the Commons announcing her plans - which she did last Monday, saying she would press on with her current deal.
The Government must then table a so-called "neutral" motion to be voted on - stating simply that the House of Commons "has considered the statement" made by the PM.
Why does the vote matter?
Whether or not MPs vote in favour of the motion tabled by Mrs May is literally meaningless.
But crucially, the motion can be amended - giving the Commons the right to pass any resolution it wants and dictate to the Government what it should do next.
What are the amendments?
There are two main amendments - one from Labour's Yvette Cooper which rules out a No Deal Brexit, and another from top Tory Graham Brady which kills off the Irish backstop.
But another dozen amendments have also been tabled from across the political spectrum.
Commons Speaker John Bercow will this morning select roughly half a dozen which will go to a vote from around 7pm.
Most of the amendments aren't legally binding but would provide a clear political message to the Government.
But the Cooper amendment is legally binding - making it more worrying to ministers than the others.
Guide to the key Brexit amendments
A TOTAL of 14 different amendments have been tabled to today’s Brexit motion.
Up to half a dozen will be pushed to a vote - but most aren't legally binding, and two of the amendments are seen as key.
COOPER AMENDMENT - RULE OUT NO DEAL
Labour's Yvette Cooper has teamed up with Tory ex-minister Nick Boles to try and take No Deal off the table.
The cross-party amendment would force the Government to introduce a bill giving unprecedented powers to MPs.
The House of Commons would be able to vote to delay Brexit by up to nine months if Britain is heading towards a No Deal outcome.
The bill states that if there is no deal in place by February 26, MPs could then instruct the Government to seek an extension of Article, 50, the legal mechanism taking us out of the EU.
Jeremy Corbyn is expected to back the amendment tomorrow - giving it a good chance of success.
BRADY AMENDMENT - DROP THE BACKSTOP
Sir Graham Brady is one of a group of senior Brexiteers who've tabled an amendment to kill off the Irish backstop.
The amendment states that the Commons is prepared to back Theresa May's deal, but only on condition the backstop is " replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border".
Although it wouldn't be binding, Sir Graham says that if it passes it would allow the PM to return to Brussels and secure changes to the withdrawal agreement.
The Government is supporting the amendment and will tell Tory MPs they must vote for it.
But it's up to Speaker John Bercow to pick which amendments are voted on - so he could scupper Mrs May's hopes by refusing to select the Brady one.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
So what next?
Tonight’s vote is not a rerun of the first "meaningful vote" on whether or not to approve the Brexit deal.
That is likely to come some time in February - whatever happens this evening.
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