MPs support Brexit delay but reject second referendum

By Bianca Britton and Eliza Mackintosh, CNN

Updated 7:41 a.m. ET, March 15, 2019
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3:27 p.m. ET, March 14, 2019

What happens with Brexit now?

Analysis from Luke McGee, CNN

Theresa May can go to bed happy, sort of. Yes, 188 members of her own party voted against her motion, but she avoided another major defeat and can now lay the ground for a third meaningful vote on her Brexit deal – which will take place before next Wednesday, March 20.

Why before then? Because the very next day, May travels to Brussels for the EU Council Summit, where she will meet with all of the other 27 EU leaders for the final time ahead of Brexit. Or, at least, for the final time ahead of Brexit *as things stand*. 

It's at this summit that May will request the extension of Article 50, thereby delaying Brexit. 

For how long depends on what happens in meaningful vote 3. If she overturns her 149 vote loss of Tuesday, then the request will be for Brexit to be delayed until June 30. If she loses for a third time, then goodness knows what happens. And if either request is declined, then Brexit happens on March 29, with or without a deal. 

2:51 p.m. ET, March 14, 2019

Delay must be approved by EU, spokesperson reiterates

An EU Commission Spokesperson has reiterated that any delay to the Brexit process must be approved by all 27 member states.

Read the full statement here:

We take note of tonight’s votes. A request for an extension of Article 50 requires the unanimous agreement of all 27 Member States. It will be for the European Council (Article 50) to consider such a request, giving priority to the need to ensure the functioning of the EU institutions and taking into account the reasons for and duration of a possible extension. President Juncker is in constant contact with all leaders.
2:47 p.m. ET, March 14, 2019

Opposition party "still supports a public vote," Corbyn says

Despite telling his MPs to abstain from voting on the second referendum amendment, opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn has told parliament that the party still supports a public vote.

"I reiterate our support on a public vote -- not as a politically point-scoring, but as a realistic option to break the deadlock," Corbyn told the House of Commons.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn from the UK's main opposition party.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn from the UK's main opposition party. parliamentlive.tv

More than 200 members from the UK's main opposition party abstained from voting on whether to give the British public a second referendum.

He said the past few days of "government chaos" have put responsibility on Prime Minister Theresa May to not only delay Britain's exit from the European Union, but also to "publicly accept that both her deal and no-deal are simply no longer viable options."

2:24 p.m. ET, March 14, 2019

BREAKING: British lawmakers back delaying Brexit 

UK lawmakers have voted in favor of delaying the Brexit process, acknowledging that more time is needed to break the deadlock over Britain’s departure from the EU. 

The motion instructs Prime Minister Theresa May to seek an extension to Article 50, the legal process under which Britain is leaving the European Union. Any delay beyond March 29 would require unanimous approval from the remaining 27 EU member states. 

The Prime Minister is now likely to seek the extension at a European Council summit in Brussels next Thursday, after putting her twice-rejected divorce deal back to the House of Commons earlier in the week.

May has warned that a longer delay to Brexit will be required if her deal is rejected a third time. That would force the UK to take part in elections to the European Parliament in May.

2:15 p.m. ET, March 14, 2019

Happening now: MPs vote on UK Government motion seeking a delay to Brexit

Results are expected in under 15 minutes.

2:10 p.m. ET, March 14, 2019

UK Parliament rejects amendment seeking a "different approach" to Brexit

British lawmakers have rejected an amendment that was brought forward by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn that called for a delay in order for parliament "to find a majority for a different approach" to Brexit.

It noted that parliament had "decisively" rejected both Theresa May's deal and a no-deal Brexit.

2:11 p.m. ET, March 14, 2019

Labour MP resigned to vote against second referendum

Labour MP Ruth Smeeth has resigned after the lead opposition party called on its members to abstain on the amendment that was calling for a second referendum.

She represents a constituency that largely voted to leave the European Union.

"This was a difficult decision but I have a duty to support the will of my constituents," Smeeth wrote on Twitter.

"We need to leave, and leave with a deal that works for the Potteries," she added, referring to the region.

2:00 p.m. ET, March 14, 2019

A win for Theresa May

Analysis from Luke McGee, CNN

Though a win by two votes might not seem much to celebrate, seeing off a backbench attempt by opposition MPs to take control out of Theresa May's hands is great news for the Prime Minister. A day of indicative votes before she heads to Brussels a week from now would have been problematic and likely unhelpful. It would have also been a hit to her credibility.

1:55 p.m. ET, March 14, 2019

Happening now: MPs vote on amendment seeking a delay to Brexit in order to find an alternative approach

Amendment (e) notes that parliament has "decisively" rejected both Theresa May's deal and no deal and calls for a delay to Brexit "to provide parliamentary time for this House to find a majority for a different approach."

Results expected in under 15 minutes.