Brexit news latest: What happens now John Bercow has rejected Boris Johnson's request for a meaningful vote? When is the next vote?
Boris Johnson's hopes of securing his Brexit deal have been dealt another crushing blow, after Speaker of the House John Bercow rejected the Government’s request for a “meaningful vote”.
The Prime Minister wanted MPs to vote on his withdrawal agreement this afternoon, following a failed attempt in the House of Commons on Saturday.
Mr Johnson was forced to abandon the motion during the extraordinary weekend sitting after MPs backed a key amendment by Sir Oliver Letwin.
But Mr Bercow rejected the Government’s call for a fresh vote, arguing that today’s motion was “the same in substance” as Saturday’s and therefore breached House rules.
So what happens now following the PM's latest defeat? And does Mr Johnson have any hope of getting his “great new Brexit deal” over the line?
Why did John Bercow reject Monday's meaningful vote?
The Speaker told MPs the motion could not be debated today as it would be "repetitive and disorderly to do so".
He said today's proposals were "the same in substance" as those considered on Saturday, when MPs passed an amended motion withdrawing approval of the PM's Brexit deal until the necessary legislation had been passed.
Defending his decision, Mr Bercow referred to the “same question convention”, a Commons rule preventing the same motion from being put forward over and over again.
The convention, he said, was necessary to "ensure the sensible use of the House’s time, and proper respect for the decisions that it takes".
MPs on both sides insisted the vote should not go ahead today. They want the PM to table the legislation needed to implement Brexit - known as the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) - first.
What exactly is the Withdrawal Agreement Bill?
The WAB is the legal part of the PM's Brexit deal that will take the country out of the EU.
It enshrines in law any agreed transition period, fulfils requirements on the rights of EU citizens in the UK after Brexit, and enables the payment of the “UK’s divorce bill” will the EU.
But it will need the backing of a majority of MPs before it can be passed by peers in the House of Lords.
MPs will be able to vote on amendments or add-ons to the bill during its second reading on Tuesday, when a number of key changes are expected to be put forward by the Labour Party.
If the Government can't get the bill approved by Parliament, the default legal position is that the UK will not be able to ratify the PM’s deal. Therefore, the country will face a no-deal crash-out from the EU on October 31.
That is, unless the EU first agrees to extend the Brexit deadline beyond that date.
What's happening in Brussels this week?
The EU must consider a letter, sent on Saturday night by Mr Johnson, begrudgingly requesting a delay to Brexit.
He was vehemently against the move - refusing to sign the letter - but was legally obliged to send it under the terms of the so-called Benn Act.
All 27 EU nations must agree to this extension and, on Saturday night, European Council president Donald Tusk said he would now start "consulting EU leaders on how to react".
The EU could set a different length to an extension, either shorter or longer than the three-month one cited in the Benn Act.
But it is understood Brussels is waiting to see whether the WAB makes it through its second reading, scheduled for tomorrow, before deciding whether to offer an extension.
If the PM gets the Bill through, there could be a special gathering of EU leaders on October 28.
If the deal needs more time to get through Parliament at that stage, leaders could agree to a short "technical" extension.
If they refuse to grant Britain a delay to Brexit, Parliament will have until October 31 to pass a deal, and the associated legislation, or crash out of the EU without a deal.
What's happening in Westminster over the next 24 hours?
Following Mr Bercow's decision, tomorrow really will be crunch time, with two crucial votes expected to be held by the end of the day.
The first, which could be put forward as early as tonight, will be on the PM’s proposed timetable to get his deal through the Commons.
This motion includes provision for late evening and weekend sittings in the Commons in a push to get through all stages of the legislation by the end of the week.
However, opposition parties are expected to vote it down, and if they can secure the support of the DUP - which has said it will do everything it can to block the PM’s deal - it is unlikely Mr Johnson will be able to get his deal through the Commons on time.
The second vote will be held following the second reading of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill tomorrow.
This second reading will see opposition parties put forward proposed amendments to the Bill, which could radically alter Mr Johnson’s deal.
What key amendments to the deal can we expect?
Second referendum
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer has said he will whip Labour MPs to support an amendment that would put any deal to a second referendum.
Sir Keir has suggested that such a referendum would offer the British people a choice between staying in the EU and Mr Johnson’s deal, as amended.
However, this amendment is unlikely to pass. As many as 20 Labour MPs could rebel and vote it down and the DUP has confirmed it will oppose it.
Customs union
Labour is also expected to table an amendment calling for Britain to stay in a customs union with the EU.
This would amount to a major upheaval in Mr Johnson’s current deal, which commits Britain to leaving the EU customs union so it can strike independent trade deals after Brexit.
The amendment is already attracting the support of Labour rebels who were expected to back th PM’s deal but would prefer closer alignment with the EU.
The DUP is also considering giving the deal its support, saying it wants a deal for the “whole of the UK”.
Most of the 21 Tory MPs who had the whip removed are expected to vote against it, but they will require further assurances about the future relationship with the EU.
What will the Prime Minister do if his deal is amended?
He could either take the unlikely step of accepting the deal as amended or withdraw legislation on his deal entirely.
If so, a long Brexit delay will be almost certain, unless the EU refuses to grant the UK an extension.
In which case, the UK will leave without a deal on 31 October.
Is there any hope at all for the PM's deal as it currently stands?
If the Withdrawal Agreement Bill is passed in time and the proposed amendments are voted down, then yes.
However, much will hinge on the PM securing support from Brexiteer Tories who voted down Theresa May's deal on three occasions, plus the 21 former Conservatives who lost the whip over the issue of a no deal Brexit.
Former Tory cabinet minister Amber Rudd has indicated she would support Mr Johnson's deal and thought there was a "coalition for getting the Prime Minister's deal through".
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he also believes the Government has enough backing, telling The Andrew Marr Show: "We seem to have the numbers in the House of Commons".
However, the DUP is strongly opposed to Mr Johnson's deal due to its proposed arrangements for Northern Ireland, so the backing of enough Labour MPs in Leave supporting seats will also be vital.
Forecasts suggest the numbers are on a knife edge.
Losing another meaningful vote on the deal could lead to the PM facing an Opposition motion of no confidence, paving the way for a general election and further clouding the precise future of the Brexit process.
Will there be a general election?
If Brexit is delayed, the Government is expected to ask the House of Commons, again, to back an early general election.
This would require a two-thirds majority in the House of Commons.
Alternatively, the Government could introduce a short new law specifying the date of an early general election - this would require simple majority rather than two-thirds of MPs.
A more dramatic alternative would be for the Prime Minister to call a vote of no confidence in his own government.
