# What will the UK do wrt Brexit? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 18, 2019, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799 "2019-02-18T22:39:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/301 "2019-03-13T19:06:35Z")
> [@Malden\_Capell](#): > > Leave campaign literature was internally contradictory. It spoke multiple things to all kinds of voters, who seized on what they liked to hear and ignored everything that contradicted it. > > It’s the only way Leave won the vote. If they’d specified, they’d have lost. > > If May after she became PM had opted to the widest common denominator with a demoralised Remain and a Leave that was still a broad church, she could, maybe, have won through a Norway or Switzerland style deal months ago. > > But she put party before country instead. Actually, the one person I sympathise with the _most_ is Theresa May, who herself voted to Remain, IIRC, yet was put in a position to handle the Brexit storm that Cameron brought upon them. As far as pursuing a harder Brexit than the Norway/Switzerland model, that’s because it was very clear she would never get her own party’s support for it, that would be dead in the water. Given the constraints put upon her, I think her Brexit deal really was the best compromise on all fronts that was ever going to be accepted by the EU. The “have our cake and eat it, too” option that Boris Johnson talked about but never specified, what was that exactly? Free movement of Britons into Europe but not vice versa, free movement of goods from Europe but only as selectively deemed by the UK, and Ireland would agree to follow suit on whatever the UK specified? The more I look at what Johnson et al. “really meant” it’s clear they didn’t think about NI at all, so would they take a trade of leaving NI to the EU domain and to hell with the DUP in exchange for getting everything else in the May Brexit deal - maybe even some more sweeteners from the EU? Because that’s really what the May deal is, right, let’s all stop pretending a “backstop” in NI would ever end until N years down the road when a referendum is called that has them joining the Republic anyway? But then, I read that even NI and the Republic wouldn’t necessarily want that to happen, since the NI economy actually benefits enormously from a subsidy from Westminster that would presumably end under such a scenario. And of course, part of the Brexit sentiment is the desire to restore a sense of Empire, and actually shrinking as a result of Brexit goes against that, doesn’t it? Man, is this whole thing _verkakte_. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/302 "2019-03-13T19:17:35Z")
Amendment passes 312-308 ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/303 "2019-03-13T19:17:57Z")
Spelman passes by 4 votes! ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/304 "2019-03-13T19:22:27Z")
I know it was discussed before, but what real effect does this amendment have? ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/305 "2019-03-13T19:24:47Z")
It’s yet another defeat for May. And for the hardcore Brexiteers who were still hoping for a no-deal exit by default. It puts serious pressure on parliament now to come up with an alternative. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/306 "2019-03-13T19:30:11Z")
MPs are planning a series of votes on a number of different options next week - whether May likes it or not. [Group of MPs plan to force indicative votes on Brexit options](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/13/group-of-mps-plan-to-force-indicative-votes-on-brexit-options) > [@](#): > > A group of MPs is planning to force indicative votes in parliament on a series of Brexit options, including a second referendum and a softer departure, as several cabinet ministers suggested it could be the only way to resolve the political impasse. > > If MPs vote down the possibility of a no-deal Brexit on Wednesday night, they will vote on Thursday on whether to seek an extension to article 50. Efforts are under way to persuade Theresa May to announce plans then to hold debates on Brexit options the following week in order to determine a new path for parliament during a short extension. > > If May does not propose indicative votes herself, a coalition of MPs, including the Conservative Sir Oliver Letwin and Labour’s Stephen Kinnock, plan to force the votes by laying down an amendment on Thursday that would pave the way for legislation to ensure the votes took place. > Advertisement > > The mechanism would be similar to that proposed by Letwin and Labour’s Yvette Cooper to prevent a no-deal Brexit, an amendment that gives time for a bill to ensure a vote on extending article 50. This time, that bill would legislate for indicative votes next week. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/307 "2019-03-13T19:34:36Z")
164-374. 2nd Amendment defeated. UNLOCK! ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/308 "2019-03-13T19:34:54Z")
The Malthouse amendment didn’t have a hope of passing. 334 - 164 against. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/309 "2019-03-13T19:35:47Z")
Things are moving at breakneck speed tonight. The Govt might now whip against its own now-amended motion. If so, ministers will resign. Let’s see! ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/310 "2019-03-13T19:39:53Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Things are moving at breakneck speed tonight. The Govt might now whip against its own now-amended motion. If so, ministers will resign. Let’s see! You Brits. You speak English, but really need a lot of work on it. 🙂 What practical different did the 1st amendment make such that the government now wants to scuttle the whole thing? Would the PM resign? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/311 "2019-03-13T19:42:54Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > What practical different did the 1st amendment make such that the government now wants to scuttle the whole thing? Govt motion was specific to leaving on 29th March. First amendment removed that specificity, so govt is now imposing a whip. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/312 "2019-03-13T19:43:26Z")
Can someone explain what’s going on? Or is there a handy link that sums up the current situation? ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/313 "2019-03-13T19:45:10Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Can someone explain what’s going on? Or is there a handy link that sums up the current situation? Personally, I’m following it via The Guardian’s live feed of updates and commentary, and following about 60% of it: > **[MPs told to pass Brexit deal by next Wednesday or face long article 50...](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/mar/13/brexit-mps-to-vote-on-leaving-the-eu-with-no-deal-politics-live?page=with:block-5c89584be4b0eff8e0fc267c#block-5c89584be4b0eff8e0fc267c)** > > MPs vote by 321 to 278 to rule out no deal despite government whipping Tory MPs against motion, following 312-308 win for Spelman amendment ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/314 "2019-03-13T19:47:21Z")
> [@robardin](#): > > Personally, I’m following it via The Guardian’s live feed of updates and commentary, and following about 60% of it: > > [MPs told to pass Brexit deal by next Wednesday or face long article 50 extension - as it happened | Brexit | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/mar/13/brexit-mps-to-vote-on-leaving-the-eu-with-no-deal-politics-live?page=with:block-5c89584be4b0eff8e0fc267c#block-5c89584be4b0eff8e0fc267c) Thanks! Looks crazy. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/315 "2019-03-13T19:48:21Z")
What does it mean that the “govt is whipping the ministers to vote against their own motion”? What happens if the ministers resign? ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/316 "2019-03-13T19:51:34Z")
321-278…adopted. Can May really continue to govern? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/317 "2019-03-13T19:52:01Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > 321-278…adopted. > > Can May really continue to govern? What was adopted? ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/318 "2019-03-13T19:52:15Z")
Yet another defeat for May! Despite her unbelievable about-turn. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/319 "2019-03-13T19:53:25Z")
Oh I see, a second vote barring a no-deal Brexit. Why did they have to vote for it a 2nd time? ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799/320 "2019-03-13T19:53:28Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > What does it mean that the “govt is whipping the ministers to vote against their own motion”? What happens if the ministers resign? It means that the government is ordering its MPs to vote in a particular way - in this case, against the amended motion that the government itself proposed. There’s no formal consequence of ministers resigning - in theory the PM just appoints new ones. But a mass resignation from the government does not demonstrate deep confidence and trust in her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799.md?page=17)