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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brexit: Theresa May to hold a series of MPs' votes on options | Brexit: Theresa May to hold a series of MPs' votes on options |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Theresa May is now thought to be in favour of giving MPs a vote on alternatives to her plans when they debate her Brexit deal. | Theresa May is now thought to be in favour of giving MPs a vote on alternatives to her plans when they debate her Brexit deal. |
| The prime minister was previously thought to be against this idea. | The prime minister was previously thought to be against this idea. |
| But sources have told the BBC she wants the "meaningful vote" planned for the third week of January to be a "moment of reckoning" for Brexit. | But sources have told the BBC she wants the "meaningful vote" planned for the third week of January to be a "moment of reckoning" for Brexit. |
| It comes as the cabinet announced it was stepping up preparations in case there is a no-deal Brexit on 29 March. | It comes as the cabinet announced it was stepping up preparations in case there is a no-deal Brexit on 29 March. |
| The votes would be on amendments to the motion on her Brexit deal - and would take place before the key vote on her plan. | The votes would be on amendments to the motion on her Brexit deal - and would take place before the key vote on her plan. |
| The Brexit deal Theresa May has reached with the EU has to be passed by Parliament but most MPs - including many on her own side - are against it. | The Brexit deal Theresa May has reached with the EU has to be passed by Parliament but most MPs - including many on her own side - are against it. |
| She had been planning to present Parliament with a choice between her deal and no-deal, hoping that enough MPs would swallow their objections and get behind her version of Brexit. | She had been planning to present Parliament with a choice between her deal and no-deal, hoping that enough MPs would swallow their objections and get behind her version of Brexit. |
| But MPs are showing few signs of changing their minds - with some hoping that the next step after her deal being rejected would be leaving without a deal, others hoping for a fresh referendum and some backing alternative deals like the ones Norway or Canada have with the EU. | But MPs are showing few signs of changing their minds - with some hoping that the next step after her deal being rejected would be leaving without a deal, others hoping for a fresh referendum and some backing alternative deals like the ones Norway or Canada have with the EU. |
| So rather than wait for what seems like an inevitable defeat, she is thought to be planning a new approach. | So rather than wait for what seems like an inevitable defeat, she is thought to be planning a new approach. |
| The prime minister does not believe any of the factions criticising her plan have enough support to get their own version of Brexit through Parliament. | The prime minister does not believe any of the factions criticising her plan have enough support to get their own version of Brexit through Parliament. |
| By allowing them to put forward their proposals and vote on them, she is hoping they will be defeated and her plan will emerge by a process of elimination as the best and only alternative to leaving without a deal. | By allowing them to put forward their proposals and vote on them, she is hoping they will be defeated and her plan will emerge by a process of elimination as the best and only alternative to leaving without a deal. |
| So what might Mrs May hope to gain? | So what might Mrs May hope to gain? |
| By BBC Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar | By BBC Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar |
| On all sides at Westminster, MPs feel sure her plan is doomed to defeat. | On all sides at Westminster, MPs feel sure her plan is doomed to defeat. |
| Many - including some in her own Cabinet - want other ideas: a Norway-style Brexit which leaves the UK closely tied to the EU, say, or a referendum, or no deal, put to MPs after that happens. | Many - including some in her own Cabinet - want other ideas: a Norway-style Brexit which leaves the UK closely tied to the EU, say, or a referendum, or no deal, put to MPs after that happens. |
| The prime minister's formula might flush out those who are quietly waiting for her plan to fail before offering their own ideas as a solution. | The prime minister's formula might flush out those who are quietly waiting for her plan to fail before offering their own ideas as a solution. |
| She wants, in effect, a moment of reckoning for Brexit, with all the rival outcomes debated and voted upon when MPs discuss and decide on her plan next month. | She wants, in effect, a moment of reckoning for Brexit, with all the rival outcomes debated and voted upon when MPs discuss and decide on her plan next month. |
| If MPs reject every plan - and that is possible - she might just be able to continue the fight for her own. | If MPs reject every plan - and that is possible - she might just be able to continue the fight for her own. |
| Several cabinet ministers have publicly suggested alternative next steps if Mrs May's plan is rejected. | Several cabinet ministers have publicly suggested alternative next steps if Mrs May's plan is rejected. |
| Mrs May was originally planning to put her plan to a Commons vote last week but pulled it at the last minute over fears it would be defeated, sparking widespread outrage among MPs. | |
| "Last time, for one reason or another, people only set out what they opposed. Next time could be an opportunity for people to set down what they support - and vote on it," a senior source close to Mrs May said. | "Last time, for one reason or another, people only set out what they opposed. Next time could be an opportunity for people to set down what they support - and vote on it," a senior source close to Mrs May said. |
| Downing Street is also hoping to get more reassurances from Brussels that any outcome that keeps the UK tied to EU rules - as part of measures to ensure there is no return to a physical Northern Ireland border, will be temporary. | Downing Street is also hoping to get more reassurances from Brussels that any outcome that keeps the UK tied to EU rules - as part of measures to ensure there is no return to a physical Northern Ireland border, will be temporary. |