LONDON (Reuters) - There are suggestions that Britain’s government has been told it will not be allowed to bring Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal back for a fourth vote, the BBC’s political editor said on Tuesday.
Parliament’s speaker John Bercow said there needed to be significant changes to May’s deal before it could be brought back for a third vote last week. Brexit minister Steve Barclay has hinted that May might bring the deal back to lawmakers again this week.
“Whispers this morning that clerks in Commons have made it clear to govt that Bercow would not allow them to bring back the deal for another vote - one source says this is a ‘Big Problem’,” the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg said on Twitter.
“Speaker’s office says not decided yet - let’s see.”
(This version was refiled to change headline)
Reporting by Alistair Smout; editing by Michael Holden
A no-deal Brexit is now more likely but can still be avoided, the EU's chief negotiator has said.
Michel Barnier said a long extension to the UK's current 12 April exit date carried "significant risks for the EU" and that a "strong justification would be needed" before the EU would agree.
Theresa May has begun five hours of cabinet talks to tackle the deadlock.
BBC deputy political editor John Pienaar said the cabinet was "irreconcilably split" and "almost any outcome is conceivable", with one camp preferring no deal, the other a "softer" Brexit.
In the Commons votes on Monday, MPs rejected a customs union with the EU by three votes. A motion for another referendum got the most votes in favour, but still lost.
The so-called indicative votes were not legally binding, but they had been billed as the moment when Parliament might finally compromise.
That did not happen, and one Tory MP - Nick Boles, who was behind one of the proposals - resigned the whip in frustration.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told MPs that if they wanted to secure a further delay from the EU, the government must put forward a "credible proposition".
One suggestion has been the possibility of a general election - but former foreign secretary Boris Johnson told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg that would be likely to "infuriate" voters.
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Instead, Mr Johnson said he believed a new leader and "change in negotiation tactic" could "retrofit" the PM's "terrible" agreement with the EU.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Barnier said: "No deal was never our desire or intended scenario but the EU 27 is now prepared. It becomes day after day more likely."
Mr Barnier told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee that "things are somewhat hanging on the decisions of the House of Commons", and that the deal was negotiated with the UK "not against the UK".
"If we are to avoid a no-deal Brexit, there is only one way forward - they have got to vote on a deal.
"There is only one treaty available - this one," he said, waving the withdrawal agreement.
Former Brexit Secretary David Davis told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the way forward was to address the controversial Irish backstop - a measure to avoid the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
He said the most "constructive outcome" would be the Malthouse Compromise - which includes extending the transition period for a year until the end of 2021 and protecting EU citizens' rights, instead of using the backstop.
But the Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom said the prime minister's deal was the best option.
"The compromise option, the one that delivers on the EU referendum but at the same time enables us to accommodate the wishes of those who wanted to remain in the EU - that is the best compromise," she said.
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Labour MP and chairman of the Brexit select committee Hilary Benn told Today that a confirmatory referendum was the best solution.
"A good leader would be taking that decision and put it back to the people," he said.
"[The] fear is that the PM is not going to move an inch. That is why we are at a moment of crisis."
Mrs May's plan for the UK's departure has been rejected by MPs three times.
Last week, Parliament took control of the process away from the government in order to hold a series of votes designed to find an alternative way forward.
Eight options were put to MPs, but none was able to command a majority, and on Monday night, a whittled-down four were rejected too.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Those pushing for a customs union argued that their option was defeated by the narrowest margin - only three votes.
Those in favour of another EU referendum pointed out that the motion calling for that option received the most votes in favour, totalling 280.
For months, Parliament has been saying "Let us have a say, let us find the way forward," but in the end they couldn't quite do it. Parliament doesn't know what it wants and we still have lots of different tribes and factions who aren't willing to make peace.
That means that by the day, two things are becoming more likely. One, leaving the EU without a deal. And two, a general election, because we're at an impasse.
One person who doesn't think that would be a good idea is former foreign secretary and Brexiteer Boris Johnson.
He told me going to the polls would "solve nothing" and would "just infuriate people". He also said that only somebody who "really believes in Brexit" should be in charge once Theresa May steps down. I wonder who that could be...
A no-deal Brexit is now more likely but can still be avoided, the EU's chief negotiator has said.
Michel Barnier said a long extension to the UK's current 12 April exit date carried "significant risks for the EU" and that a "strong justification would be needed" before the EU would agree.
Theresa May has begun five hours of cabinet talks to tackle the deadlock.
BBC deputy political editor John Pienaar said the cabinet was "irreconcilably split" and "almost any outcome is conceivable", with one camp preferring no deal, the other a "softer" Brexit.
In the Commons votes on Monday, MPs rejected a customs union with the EU by three votes. A motion for another referendum got the most votes in favour, but still lost.
The so-called indicative votes were not legally binding, but they had been billed as the moment when Parliament might finally compromise.
That did not happen, and one Tory MP - Nick Boles, who was behind one of the proposals - resigned the whip in frustration.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told MPs that if they wanted to secure a further delay from the EU, the government must put forward a "credible proposition".
One suggestion has been the possibility of a general election - but former foreign secretary Boris Johnson told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg that would be likely to "infuriate" voters.
Please upgrade your browser to view this interactive
Instead, Mr Johnson said he believed a new leader and "change in negotiation tactic" could "retrofit" the PM's "terrible" agreement with the EU.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Barnier said: "No deal was never our desire or intended scenario but the EU 27 is now prepared. It becomes day after day more likely."
Mr Barnier told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee that "things are somewhat hanging on the decisions of the House of Commons", and that the deal was negotiated with the UK "not against the UK".
"If we are to avoid a no-deal Brexit, there is only one way forward - they have got to vote on a deal.
"There is only one treaty available - this one," he said, waving the withdrawal agreement.
Former Brexit Secretary David Davis told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the way forward was to address the controversial Irish backstop - a measure to avoid the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
He said the most "constructive outcome" would be the Malthouse Compromise - which includes extending the transition period for a year until the end of 2021 and protecting EU citizens' rights, instead of using the backstop.
But the Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom said the prime minister's deal was the best option.
"The compromise option, the one that delivers on the EU referendum but at the same time enables us to accommodate the wishes of those who wanted to remain in the EU - that is the best compromise," she said.
Please upgrade your browser
Your guide to Brexit jargon
Use the list below or select a button
Labour MP and chairman of the Brexit select committee Hilary Benn told Today that a confirmatory referendum was the best solution.
"A good leader would be taking that decision and put it back to the people," he said.
"[The] fear is that the PM is not going to move an inch. That is why we are at a moment of crisis."
Mrs May's plan for the UK's departure has been rejected by MPs three times.
Last week, Parliament took control of the process away from the government in order to hold a series of votes designed to find an alternative way forward.
Eight options were put to MPs, but none was able to command a majority, and on Monday night, a whittled-down four were rejected too.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Those pushing for a customs union argued that their option was defeated by the narrowest margin - only three votes.
Those in favour of another EU referendum pointed out that the motion calling for that option received the most votes in favour, totalling 280.
For months, Parliament has been saying "Let us have a say, let us find the way forward," but in the end they couldn't quite do it. Parliament doesn't know what it wants and we still have lots of different tribes and factions who aren't willing to make peace.
That means that by the day, two things are becoming more likely. One, leaving the EU without a deal. And two, a general election, because we're at an impasse.
One person who doesn't think that would be a good idea is former foreign secretary and Brexiteer Boris Johnson.
He told me going to the polls would "solve nothing" and would "just infuriate people". He also said that only somebody who "really believes in Brexit" should be in charge once Theresa May steps down. I wonder who that could be...
A no-deal Brexit is now more likely but can still be avoided, the EU's chief negotiator has said.
Michel Barnier said a long extension to the UK's current 12 April exit date carried "significant risks for the EU" and that a "strong justification would be needed" before the EU would agree.
Theresa May has begun five hours of cabinet talks to tackle the deadlock.
BBC deputy political editor John Pienaar said the cabinet was "irreconcilably split" and "almost any outcome is conceivable", with one camp preferring no deal, the other a "softer" Brexit.
In the Commons votes on Monday, MPs rejected a customs union with the EU by three votes. A motion for another referendum got the most votes in favour, but still lost.
The so-called indicative votes were not legally binding, but they had been billed as the moment when Parliament might finally compromise.
That did not happen, and one Tory MP - Nick Boles, who was behind one of the proposals - resigned the whip in frustration.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told MPs that if they wanted to secure a further delay from the EU, the government must put forward a "credible proposition".
One suggestion has been the possibility of a general election - but former foreign secretary Boris Johnson told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg that would be likely to "infuriate" voters.
Please upgrade your browser to view this interactive
Instead, Mr Johnson said he believed a new leader and "change in negotiation tactic" could "retrofit" the PM's "terrible" agreement with the EU.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Barnier said: "No deal was never our desire or intended scenario but the EU 27 is now prepared. It becomes day after day more likely."
Mr Barnier told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee that "things are somewhat hanging on the decisions of the House of Commons", and that the deal was negotiated with the UK "not against the UK".
"If we are to avoid a no-deal Brexit, there is only one way forward - they have got to vote on a deal.
"There is only one treaty available - this one," he said, waving the withdrawal agreement.
Former Brexit Secretary David Davis told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the way forward was to address the controversial Irish backstop - a measure to avoid the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
He said the most "constructive outcome" would be the Malthouse Compromise - which includes extending the transition period for a year until the end of 2021 and protecting EU citizens' rights, instead of using the backstop.
But the Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom said the prime minister's deal was the best option.
"The compromise option, the one that delivers on the EU referendum but at the same time enables us to accommodate the wishes of those who wanted to remain in the EU - that is the best compromise," she said.
Please upgrade your browser
Your guide to Brexit jargon
Use the list below or select a button
Labour MP and chairman of the Brexit select committee Hilary Benn told Today that a confirmatory referendum was the best solution.
"A good leader would be taking that decision and put it back to the people," he said.
"[The] fear is that the PM is not going to move an inch. That is why we are at a moment of crisis."
Mrs May's plan for the UK's departure has been rejected by MPs three times.
Last week, Parliament took control of the process away from the government in order to hold a series of votes designed to find an alternative way forward.
Eight options were put to MPs, but none was able to command a majority, and on Monday night, a whittled-down four were rejected too.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Those pushing for a customs union argued that their option was defeated by the narrowest margin - only three votes.
Those in favour of another EU referendum pointed out that the motion calling for that option received the most votes in favour, totalling 280.
For months, Parliament has been saying "Let us have a say, let us find the way forward," but in the end they couldn't quite do it. Parliament doesn't know what it wants and we still have lots of different tribes and factions who aren't willing to make peace.
That means that by the day, two things are becoming more likely. One, leaving the EU without a deal. And two, a general election, because we're at an impasse.
One person who doesn't think that would be a good idea is former foreign secretary and Brexiteer Boris Johnson.
He told me going to the polls would "solve nothing" and would "just infuriate people". He also said that only somebody who "really believes in Brexit" should be in charge once Theresa May steps down. I wonder who that could be...
Michel Barnier said a long extension to the UK's current 12 April exit date carried "significant risks for the EU" and that a "strong justification would be needed" before the EU would agree.
Theresa May is set for five hours of cabinet talks to tackle the deadlock.
MPs rejected a customs union with the EU by three votes while a motion for another referendum got the most votes in favour, but still lost.
The so-called indicative votes were not legally binding, but they had been billed as the moment when Parliament might finally compromise.
That did not happen, however, and one Tory MP - Nick Boles, who was behind one of the proposals - resigned the whip in frustration.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told MPs that if they wanted to secure a further delay from the EU, the government must be able to put forward a "credible proposition" as to what it would do.
One suggestion has been the possibility of a general election - but former foreign secretary Boris Johnson told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg that would likely "infuriate" voters.
Instead, Mr Johnson said he believed a new leader and "change in negotiation tactic" could "retrofit" the PM's "terrible" agreement with the EU.
Labour MP and chairman of the Brexit select committee Hilary Benn told BBC Radio 4's Today that a confirmatory referendum was the best solution.
"A good leader would be taking that decision and put it back to the people," he said.
"[The] fear is that the PM is not going to move an inch. That is why we are at a moment of crisis."
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Barnier said: "No deal was never our desire or intended scenario but the EU 27 is now prepared. It becomes day after day more likely."
Please upgrade your browser
Your guide to Brexit jargon
Use the list below or select a button
Mrs May's plan for the UK's departure has been rejected by MPs three times.
Last week, Parliament took control of the process away from the government in order to hold a series of votes designed to find an alternative way forward.
Eight options were put to MPs, but none was able to command a majority, and on Monday night, a whittled down four were rejected too. They were:
Motion C: Committing the government to negotiating "a permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU" as part of any Brexit deal.
Motion D: Referred to as Common Market 2.0, this option would mean joining the European Free Trade Association and European Economic Area.
Motion E: Calling for a confirmatory referendum, giving the public a vote to approve any Brexit deal passed by Parliament before it can be implemented.
Motion G: Aiming to prevent the UK leaving without a deal, including a vote on whether to revoke Article 50 - stopping Brexit altogether - if the EU does not agree to an extension.
Those pushing for a customs union argued that their option was defeated by the narrowest margin - only three votes.
Those in favour of another EU referendum pointed out that the motion calling for that option received the most votes in favour, totalling 280.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Mr Barclay said the "only option" left now was to find a way forward that allows the UK to leave the EU with a deal - and the only deal available was the prime minister's.
If that could be done this week, he added, the UK could avoid having to take part in elections to the European Parliament in May.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock agreed it was time for Mrs May's deal to be passed.
But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that while it was "disappointing" that none of the proposals secured a majority, he said he wanted to remind the Commons that Mrs May's deal had been "overwhelmingly rejected".
He urged MPs to hold a third round of indicative votes on Wednesday in the hope that a majority could yet be found for a way forward.
For months, Parliament has been saying "Let us have a say, let us find the way forward," but in the end they couldn't quite do it. Parliament doesn't know what it wants and we still have lots of different tribes and factions who aren't willing to make peace.
That means that by the day, two things are becoming more likely. One, leaving the EU without a deal. And two, a general election, because we're at an impasse.
One person who doesn't think that would be a good idea is former foreign secretary and Brexiteer Boris Johnson.
He told me going to the polls would "solve nothing" and would "just infuriate people". He also said that only somebody who "really believes in Brexit" should be in charge once Theresa May steps down. I wonder who that could be...
Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb told BBC Look East he was "ashamed to be a member of this Parliament" and hit out at MPs in his own party - five of whom voted against a customs union and four of whom voted against Common Market 2.0.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
BBC Europe editor Katya Adler said the mood in Brussels was one of disbelief - that the UK still does not seem to know what it wants.
She said EU leaders were also questioning the logic of arguing over things like a customs union or Common Market option at this stage, because right now, the UK has only three options as they see it - no deal, no Brexit or Theresa May's deal - and anything else is a matter for future talks once the UK has actually left.
What next?
Tuesday 2 April: Five-hour cabinet meeting from 0900 BST
Wednesday 3 April: Potentially another round of indicative votes
Thursday 4 April: Theresa May could bring her withdrawal deal back before MPs for a fourth vote
Wednesday 10 April: Emergency summit of EU leaders to consider any UK request for further extension
Friday 12 April: Brexit day, if UK does not seek/EU does not grant further delay
(Reuters) - There is a growing consensus in the British cabinet to ‘reluctantly’ accept a customs union if Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal is defeated during a run-off final round of indicative voting, now expected on Thursday, The Sun newspaper reported late on Monday.
The option to keep Britain in a customs union with the EU, was defeated by three votes during a round of indicative voting on alternative Brexit options on Monday.
Reporting by Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler
MPs are now voting on the possible next steps for Brexit as they try to break the deadlock in Parliament.
Four options have been chosen by the Speaker to be voted on, including a customs union and a referendum.
Labour MPs are being urged to back a plan to keep the UK in a Norway-style relationship with the EU.
Under the Common Market 2.0 proposal, the UK would leave the EU, but retain freedom of movement and make contributions to the EU budget.
In a letter to MPs, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asked them to support the motion, as well as one for a customs union, to "break the deadlock and find the consensus necessary to force a change to the red lines of the prime minister's rejected deal".
The party will also support the motion calling for a confirmatory referendum on any deal agreed by Parliament - although some rebels may vote against it.
Conservative MPs are being given a free vote on the motions - meaning they will not be told by party bosses which way to go - but the cabinet has been told to abstain.
During the debate, 11 climate change activists staged a protest in the public gallery, taking their clothes off to reveal slogans painted on their bodies.
Police were called to remove them from the viewing platform.
The Common Market 2.0 motion - put forward by Tory MP Nick Boles - may also be backed by the SNP.
But the PM's spokesman said ending free movement was a "very important factor" for the public when voting for Brexit, so they would oppose it.
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, speaking to the BBC's World at One programme, refused to say whether Labour's position on free movement had changed.
When asked if she was compromising on freedom of movement, she said "we are trying to pull the House of Commons together".
None of today's votes on the proposals are legally binding, meaning it will be up to the government if they act on the results.
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Theresa May tried to get MPs to back the withdrawal agreement element of her deal on Friday, but lost by 58 votes - having already failed twice to get support for her overall deal in Parliament.
She now has until 12 April to either seek a longer extension to the deadline or decide to leave the EU without a deal.
The cabinet is now split over whether to move to a softer deal that could mean including a customs union in her plan.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox told the BBC joining a customs union would be a "betrayal of Brexit".
How will the rest of the day unfold?
The Commons started with MPs debating and voting on a business motion that laid out plans for the votes later and set aside time for any next steps on Wednesday.
It was approved by 322 votes to 277.
The Speaker John Bercow then decided which motions to take forward for MPs to vote on tonight.
He picked four of the eight put forward:
Motion C: Committing the government to negotiating "a permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU" as part of any Brexit deal - proposed by Tory former chancellor Ken Clarke
Motion D: Referred to as Common Market 2.0, this option would mean joining the European Free Trade Association and European Economic Area - proposed by Tory MP Nick Boles
Motion E: This is for a confirmatory referendum, giving the public a vote to approve any Brexit deal passed by Parliament before it can be implemented - proposed by Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson
Motion G: The motion aims to prevent the UK leaving without a deal, including a vote on whether to revoke Article 50 - stopping Brexit - if the EU does not agree to an extension - proposed by the SNP's Joanna Cherry
He did not choose motions calling for a unilateral exit to the backstop, to leave on 12 April without a deal, to hold a referendum in the case of no-deal or to rejoin the European Free Trade Association.
MPs are now voting on the proposals and will be given a piece of paper listing all the options and tick "yes" or "no" on as many as they want.
The House will be suspended for 30 minutes to allow the votes to take place. It took two hours for the votes to be counted before, so the result could be around 22:00 BST.
Will any of the options get a majority?
When MPs voted on proposals last week, all eight failed to win a majority in the Commons.
However, the plan for a customs union - allowing UK businesses to move goods around the EU without tariffs, but stopping the UK striking independent trade deals - and a confirmatory referendum came the closest.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
A number of cabinet ministers have spoken out against the customs union proposal.
Mr Fox said that if the UK pursued it, the country would have to follow rules set by the EU, adding: "It's time we went back to a proper Brexit."
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said a customs union would "compromise" pledges the party made in their 2017 manifesto, while Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said ministers were "determined" to avoid that happening.
Meanwhile, Tory MP Huw Merriman has written to around 200 of his colleagues who have voted in favour of Mrs May's deal, appealing for them to back the confirmatory referendum motion to prevent the customs union option succeeding.
He said: "It is the only option which keeps the [PM's] deal alive and is not contingent on more EU negotiations."
Digital Minister Margot James also told BBC Two's Politics Live that she is thinking about changing her mind to back a confirmatory referendum.
Labour's Dame Margaret Beckett, who proposed the previous motion for a confirmatory public vote, said she was happy to vote for motions like a customs union, so it could attract scrutiny.
"But they're unlikely to command a stable majority in Parliament unless they are attached to much longer extension that allows enough time for them to be properly scrutinised and negotiated - while not precluding a new public vote," she said.
What happens next?
Wednesday 3 April: Potentially another round of so-called "indicative votes"
Wednesday 10 April: Emergency summit of EU leaders to consider any UK request for further extension
Friday 12 April: Brexit day, if UK does not seek/EU does not grant further delay
