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| Brexit Live Updates: U.K. Parliament to Vote on Theresa May’s Deal | Brexit Live Updates: U.K. Parliament to Vote on Theresa May’s Deal |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| • With Britain in political crisis and a new deadline to leave the European Union two weeks away, Parliament is debating Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan, which it has already rejected twice by large margins, before a third vote on Friday afternoon. | • With Britain in political crisis and a new deadline to leave the European Union two weeks away, Parliament is debating Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan, which it has already rejected twice by large margins, before a third vote on Friday afternoon. |
| • Lawmakers are to vote around 2:30 p.m. London time on the 585-page agreement, which details Britain’s relationship to the European Union through the end of 2020, while longer-term plans are sorted out. | • Lawmakers are to vote around 2:30 p.m. London time on the 585-page agreement, which details Britain’s relationship to the European Union through the end of 2020, while longer-term plans are sorted out. |
| • If it does not pass, as seems likely, Britain could withdraw on April 12 without an agreement — the “no-deal” Brexit that many economists and officials have warned would do serious economic damage. The only alternative may be a long delay, which is opposed by pro-Brexit lawmakers. | |
| • In a bid to win over hard-line Brexit supporters, Mrs. May promised Conservative lawmakers this week that she would step down as prime minister if the deal were approved. The prime minister is hoping that enough lawmakers will reverse course, despite their concerns, rather than risk crashing out without a deal. | • In a bid to win over hard-line Brexit supporters, Mrs. May promised Conservative lawmakers this week that she would step down as prime minister if the deal were approved. The prime minister is hoping that enough lawmakers will reverse course, despite their concerns, rather than risk crashing out without a deal. |
| Parliament has twice rejected Mrs. May’s proposal, but this time there is a twist: Lawmakers will only vote on the withdrawal agreement, the legally binding part of the deal. | Parliament has twice rejected Mrs. May’s proposal, but this time there is a twist: Lawmakers will only vote on the withdrawal agreement, the legally binding part of the deal. |
| They will set aside, for now, a decision on the nonbinding “political declaration,” a statement of what both sides want in Britain’s long-term relationship with the European Union. The two parts were separated to get around a procedural rule that would have prevented Mrs. May from making a third attempt to get the deal through. | They will set aside, for now, a decision on the nonbinding “political declaration,” a statement of what both sides want in Britain’s long-term relationship with the European Union. The two parts were separated to get around a procedural rule that would have prevented Mrs. May from making a third attempt to get the deal through. |
| The withdrawal agreement sets the terms of a transition period after Britain leaves the bloc, while long-term arrangements are negotiated. It would last through the end of 2020, but could be extended for two years. | The withdrawal agreement sets the terms of a transition period after Britain leaves the bloc, while long-term arrangements are negotiated. It would last through the end of 2020, but could be extended for two years. |
| [Interested in our Brexit coverage? Join the conversation on April 1, and hear how our reporters in London are tracking these updates.] | [Interested in our Brexit coverage? Join the conversation on April 1, and hear how our reporters in London are tracking these updates.] |
| It lays out in detail the nation’s trade relationship with the bloc, keeping Britain tied, at least temporarily, to many European Union tariff, product and immigration rules, protecting trade ties and the rights of the bloc’s citizens who are already living in Britain. | It lays out in detail the nation’s trade relationship with the bloc, keeping Britain tied, at least temporarily, to many European Union tariff, product and immigration rules, protecting trade ties and the rights of the bloc’s citizens who are already living in Britain. |
| This agreement also includes language dealing with the border between Ireland, a European Union member country, and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom — a confounding and divisive issue that has proved to be the biggest sticking point in Parliament. | This agreement also includes language dealing with the border between Ireland, a European Union member country, and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom — a confounding and divisive issue that has proved to be the biggest sticking point in Parliament. |
| At the moment, goods and people flow freely between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Under the withdrawal agreement, that arrangement would continue even if the two sides have not reached a long-term pact by the end of 2020, under a provision known as the backstop. | At the moment, goods and people flow freely between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Under the withdrawal agreement, that arrangement would continue even if the two sides have not reached a long-term pact by the end of 2020, under a provision known as the backstop. |
| The backstop would keep Britain, and particularly Northern Ireland, tied to many European Union rules, to avoid building physical barriers on the border. That is anathema to many Brexit supporters, who fear that it could leave Britain permanently beholden to the bloc. | The backstop would keep Britain, and particularly Northern Ireland, tied to many European Union rules, to avoid building physical barriers on the border. That is anathema to many Brexit supporters, who fear that it could leave Britain permanently beholden to the bloc. |
| There is little expectation that Mrs. May’s plan will be approved, but a steady stream of lawmakers have promised to switch their votes and support her, suggesting that the margin is steadily narrowing. | There is little expectation that Mrs. May’s plan will be approved, but a steady stream of lawmakers have promised to switch their votes and support her, suggesting that the margin is steadily narrowing. |
| Dominic Raab, a former Brexit secretary and one of the most hard-line Conservative supporters of withdrawal, said on Friday that he would drop his opposition. | Dominic Raab, a former Brexit secretary and one of the most hard-line Conservative supporters of withdrawal, said on Friday that he would drop his opposition. |
| He was switching, he said, because there was “a significant risk of losing Brexit altogether,” referring to concerns that Britain might be forced to seek a longer extension, which would give opponents of Brexit more time to gather support against withdrawal. | He was switching, he said, because there was “a significant risk of losing Brexit altogether,” referring to concerns that Britain might be forced to seek a longer extension, which would give opponents of Brexit more time to gather support against withdrawal. |
| Writing on Twitter, Boris Johnson, a former foreign secretary who has been an vocal critic of Mrs. May’s proposal, said that he would support it, although it was “very painful to vote for this deal.” | Writing on Twitter, Boris Johnson, a former foreign secretary who has been an vocal critic of Mrs. May’s proposal, said that he would support it, although it was “very painful to vote for this deal.” |
| Iain Duncan Smith, a staunch Brexit supporter and a former leader of the Conservative Party, said that he would vote for the deal. According to ITV, another Brexit supporter, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, plans to do the same. Ross Thomson, who voted against it twice, has also said that he will change his vote. | Iain Duncan Smith, a staunch Brexit supporter and a former leader of the Conservative Party, said that he would vote for the deal. According to ITV, another Brexit supporter, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, plans to do the same. Ross Thomson, who voted against it twice, has also said that he will change his vote. |
| A group of hard-core Conservative opponents will hold out, so Mrs. May’s prospects depend on how many opposition lawmakers she can win over. Gareth Snell, a member of the opposition Labour Party, told the BBC that he was “minded to vote for the deal.” | A group of hard-core Conservative opponents will hold out, so Mrs. May’s prospects depend on how many opposition lawmakers she can win over. Gareth Snell, a member of the opposition Labour Party, told the BBC that he was “minded to vote for the deal.” |
| “Shame on you! Shame on you! Shame on you!” | “Shame on you! Shame on you! Shame on you!” |
| With those words, pro-Brexit activists congregated outside Parliament on Friday morning, heaping anger on lawmakers who they said were thwarting the results of the 2016 referendum. | With those words, pro-Brexit activists congregated outside Parliament on Friday morning, heaping anger on lawmakers who they said were thwarting the results of the 2016 referendum. |
| The crowd was sparse, with around 100 people drinking tea from thermoses, waving Union Jack flags and holding placards denouncing, among other things, “anti-British globalists.” | The crowd was sparse, with around 100 people drinking tea from thermoses, waving Union Jack flags and holding placards denouncing, among other things, “anti-British globalists.” |
| The protesters, most of them men, cut a striking contrast with the hundreds of thousands who turned out for an anti-Brexit march in London last weekend. | The protesters, most of them men, cut a striking contrast with the hundreds of thousands who turned out for an anti-Brexit march in London last weekend. |
| “We should be leaving now,” Paul Ellis, the legal officer of the For Britain Movement, said as he was walking toward Parliament Square. “As of today, Parliament no longer has the permission of the people to surrender power to the European Union.” | “We should be leaving now,” Paul Ellis, the legal officer of the For Britain Movement, said as he was walking toward Parliament Square. “As of today, Parliament no longer has the permission of the people to surrender power to the European Union.” |
| If Parliament votes to delay or stop Brexit, he said, “It means that Britain is no longer a democracy.” | If Parliament votes to delay or stop Brexit, he said, “It means that Britain is no longer a democracy.” |
| After arriving at Parliament Square, he unfurled his group’s banner in front of a statue of Winston Churchill. | After arriving at Parliament Square, he unfurled his group’s banner in front of a statue of Winston Churchill. |
| Opposition to Mrs. May’s deal has been decreasing among members of her warring Conservative Party, and she was expected to make a last-ditch plea to lawmakers before the vote on Friday. | Opposition to Mrs. May’s deal has been decreasing among members of her warring Conservative Party, and she was expected to make a last-ditch plea to lawmakers before the vote on Friday. |
| But her odds are not good, and the stakes for her are enormous. | But her odds are not good, and the stakes for her are enormous. |
| Brexit has been the defining issue of her tenure, but the agreement that Mrs. May negotiated with the European Union was overwhelmingly rejected in two previous votes in Parliament. | Brexit has been the defining issue of her tenure, but the agreement that Mrs. May negotiated with the European Union was overwhelmingly rejected in two previous votes in Parliament. |
| She surprised lawmakers on Wednesday by telling them that she would step down if her plan passed this time, while warning that another rejection could lead to a long postponement that might kill Brexit entirely. | She surprised lawmakers on Wednesday by telling them that she would step down if her plan passed this time, while warning that another rejection could lead to a long postponement that might kill Brexit entirely. |
| As she hoped, her offer to step down won over some hard-liners in her party who disparage her and want a more complete break with Europe and fear a long delay. | As she hoped, her offer to step down won over some hard-liners in her party who disparage her and want a more complete break with Europe and fear a long delay. |
| But so far, there has been no sign that she has swayed the Democratic Unionist Party, a small but influential Northern Ireland group that has so far opposed the agreement. | But so far, there has been no sign that she has swayed the Democratic Unionist Party, a small but influential Northern Ireland group that has so far opposed the agreement. |
| In the last vote, on March 13, Parliament rejected Mrs. May’s deal, 391 to 242. Nearly all opposition lawmakers, 75 Conservatives and all 10 from the D.U.P., voted against it. | In the last vote, on March 13, Parliament rejected Mrs. May’s deal, 391 to 242. Nearly all opposition lawmakers, 75 Conservatives and all 10 from the D.U.P., voted against it. |
| Friday’s vote will no doubt be closer, but Mrs. May needs to change the minds of about 75 lawmakers to win — a very tall order. | Friday’s vote will no doubt be closer, but Mrs. May needs to change the minds of about 75 lawmakers to win — a very tall order. |
| “She’s come to Parliament defeated and desperate,” said Ian Blackford, the leader of the anti-Brexit Scottish National Party’s members in Parliament. | “She’s come to Parliament defeated and desperate,” said Ian Blackford, the leader of the anti-Brexit Scottish National Party’s members in Parliament. |
| Another rejection would take the process back to square one. Parliament would still be struggling to agree on a way forward. And Mrs. May, though further weakened, would still be prime minister, with increased speculation about a possible general election. | Another rejection would take the process back to square one. Parliament would still be struggling to agree on a way forward. And Mrs. May, though further weakened, would still be prime minister, with increased speculation about a possible general election. |
| What is a blindfold Brexit? | What is a blindfold Brexit? |
| That is the name the opposition Labour Party has given to Mrs. May’s ploy of splitting her deal in two: a withdrawal agreement that gets Britain out of the European Union’s door, and a political declaration that says where it is supposed to go from there. | That is the name the opposition Labour Party has given to Mrs. May’s ploy of splitting her deal in two: a withdrawal agreement that gets Britain out of the European Union’s door, and a political declaration that says where it is supposed to go from there. |
| For tactical reasons, the Conservative government wants Parliament to vote on them separately. But Labour leaders say that asking lawmakers to vote on the first, without the road map provided by the second, is like putting a blindfold on Parliament. | For tactical reasons, the Conservative government wants Parliament to vote on them separately. But Labour leaders say that asking lawmakers to vote on the first, without the road map provided by the second, is like putting a blindfold on Parliament. |
| Making matters worse for Labour, Mrs. May promised to resign if her deal passed, leaving future negotiations in a new Conservative leader’s hands. That could very well be a hard-line Brexiteer, and Labour fears that such a leader would cut trading ties with Europe at the risk of hurting Britain’s economy. | Making matters worse for Labour, Mrs. May promised to resign if her deal passed, leaving future negotiations in a new Conservative leader’s hands. That could very well be a hard-line Brexiteer, and Labour fears that such a leader would cut trading ties with Europe at the risk of hurting Britain’s economy. |
| “It could be a Boris Johnson Brexit, a Jacob Rees-Mogg Brexit, or a Michael Gove Brexit,” said Keir Starmer, a senior Labour member of Parliament, referring to various pro-Brexit Conservatives. | “It could be a Boris Johnson Brexit, a Jacob Rees-Mogg Brexit, or a Michael Gove Brexit,” said Keir Starmer, a senior Labour member of Parliament, referring to various pro-Brexit Conservatives. |
| Some Labour members proposed an amendment to Mrs. May’s deal that would have given Parliament some say in shaping the political declaration — a way of taking off the figurative blindfold. But the speaker of the House of Commons did not select the amendment for a vote. | Some Labour members proposed an amendment to Mrs. May’s deal that would have given Parliament some say in shaping the political declaration — a way of taking off the figurative blindfold. But the speaker of the House of Commons did not select the amendment for a vote. |
| Some British news media reports said on Friday that, in a desperate bid to win the backing of Labour members, the government was offering money to finance projects in for their districts. | Some British news media reports said on Friday that, in a desperate bid to win the backing of Labour members, the government was offering money to finance projects in for their districts. |
| Like many moments in Britain’s prolonged journey, it’s not entirely clear. | Like many moments in Britain’s prolonged journey, it’s not entirely clear. |
| Britain was originally set to take officially leave the European Union on Friday, but European leaders agreed last week to a short extension, laying out three possibilities: | Britain was originally set to take officially leave the European Union on Friday, but European leaders agreed last week to a short extension, laying out three possibilities: |
| If Parliament accepts Mrs. May’s deal, Britain would leave the bloc on May 22. | If Parliament accepts Mrs. May’s deal, Britain would leave the bloc on May 22. |
| If lawmakers reject it again, and Britain takes no further action, it would withdraw on April 12 without an agreement — an option wanted by neither the European Union nor most British lawmakers. | If lawmakers reject it again, and Britain takes no further action, it would withdraw on April 12 without an agreement — an option wanted by neither the European Union nor most British lawmakers. |
| Mrs. May could once again ask Brussels for more time if the plan is rejected. But European leaders have said that they would be open in such a case only to a long extension, possibly of a year or more, to allow for a fundamental rethinking of Britain’s position. | Mrs. May could once again ask Brussels for more time if the plan is rejected. But European leaders have said that they would be open in such a case only to a long extension, possibly of a year or more, to allow for a fundamental rethinking of Britain’s position. |
| With Mrs. May’s promise to step down, approval of the agreement would set off a fight among Conservatives to choose a new leader. | With Mrs. May’s promise to step down, approval of the agreement would set off a fight among Conservatives to choose a new leader. |
| The deadlock in London could also lead to early parliamentary elections, or a second referendum on Brexit. | The deadlock in London could also lead to early parliamentary elections, or a second referendum on Brexit. |
| Many people in Britain and on the Continent are getting tired of the uncertainty. Among them is Jon Worth, a political consultant who has been making (and remaking) flowcharts to map the potential outcomes of the withdrawal process. | Many people in Britain and on the Continent are getting tired of the uncertainty. Among them is Jon Worth, a political consultant who has been making (and remaking) flowcharts to map the potential outcomes of the withdrawal process. |
| Mr. Worth, who works as a communications consultant for European politicians, has made 27 versions of his Brexit flowcharts, mapping every twist and turn in the political saga. | Mr. Worth, who works as a communications consultant for European politicians, has made 27 versions of his Brexit flowcharts, mapping every twist and turn in the political saga. |
| For Brexit supporters, March 29 — the originally scheduled day of Britain’s official departure from the European Union — was supposed to be one big party, with a gala celebration at 11 p.m. | For Brexit supporters, March 29 — the originally scheduled day of Britain’s official departure from the European Union — was supposed to be one big party, with a gala celebration at 11 p.m. |
| Big Ben, currently silenced by a renovation of the famous London clock tower, was to emerge from the scaffolding to chime Britain out of the European Union, sounding the death knell for 45 years of European integration. A commemorative coin was planned by the Royal Mint. | Big Ben, currently silenced by a renovation of the famous London clock tower, was to emerge from the scaffolding to chime Britain out of the European Union, sounding the death knell for 45 years of European integration. A commemorative coin was planned by the Royal Mint. |
| Either March 29 or June 23, the date of the 2016 referendum to leave the bloc, was supposed to be established as “independence day.” But the champagne is still on ice. | Either March 29 or June 23, the date of the 2016 referendum to leave the bloc, was supposed to be established as “independence day.” But the champagne is still on ice. |
| “I dearly wish we could be toasting Britain’s freedom with champagne at 11 p.m. on Friday, just as we’d planned,” said Allison Pearson, a columnist for the stridently pro-Brexit Daily Telegraph. “Under the circumstances, half a glass of Tizer and Nurofen is more like it,” she said, referring to a British soft drink and a painkiller. | “I dearly wish we could be toasting Britain’s freedom with champagne at 11 p.m. on Friday, just as we’d planned,” said Allison Pearson, a columnist for the stridently pro-Brexit Daily Telegraph. “Under the circumstances, half a glass of Tizer and Nurofen is more like it,” she said, referring to a British soft drink and a painkiller. |
| Even if Parliament approves on Wednesday the deal negotiated by Mrs. May, which no one expects, it would keep open the possibility of a British departure from the bloc on May 22. | Even if Parliament approves on Wednesday the deal negotiated by Mrs. May, which no one expects, it would keep open the possibility of a British departure from the bloc on May 22. |
| If the plan is rejected and the government remains deadlocked, the European Union has said the deadline would be April 12, ready or not. The more likely alternative in such a circumstance would be for Britain to seek another delay. | If the plan is rejected and the government remains deadlocked, the European Union has said the deadline would be April 12, ready or not. The more likely alternative in such a circumstance would be for Britain to seek another delay. |
| Asked this month about the fate of the March 29 commemorative coins, the chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, said he was unsure whether they had actually been made. If so, he told the BBC, “they will become collectors’ pieces.” | Asked this month about the fate of the March 29 commemorative coins, the chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, said he was unsure whether they had actually been made. If so, he told the BBC, “they will become collectors’ pieces.” |
| “I have heard very clearly the mood of the parliamentary party,” Mrs. May told Conservative lawmakers gathered in a meeting room in Parliament this week, as she announced plans to step aside if her Brexit plan were approved. “I know there is a desire for a new approach, and new leadership, in the second phase of the Brexit negotiations, and I won’t stand in the way of that.” | “I have heard very clearly the mood of the parliamentary party,” Mrs. May told Conservative lawmakers gathered in a meeting room in Parliament this week, as she announced plans to step aside if her Brexit plan were approved. “I know there is a desire for a new approach, and new leadership, in the second phase of the Brexit negotiations, and I won’t stand in the way of that.” |
| After the surprise offer on Wednesday, political analysts were quick to speculate about who might replace her. Her departure, which would not come before May 22 withdrawal date, would leave the Conservative Party to select a new leader to see the process through. | After the surprise offer on Wednesday, political analysts were quick to speculate about who might replace her. Her departure, which would not come before May 22 withdrawal date, would leave the Conservative Party to select a new leader to see the process through. |
| Candidates for party leadership have to be nominated by two other members of Parliament, though if there is only one candidate, he or she automatically becomes the new leader. If more than two candidates emerge, lawmakers vote among themselves to narrow the field and then put two candidates to a vote by all party members, not just those in Parliament. | Candidates for party leadership have to be nominated by two other members of Parliament, though if there is only one candidate, he or she automatically becomes the new leader. If more than two candidates emerge, lawmakers vote among themselves to narrow the field and then put two candidates to a vote by all party members, not just those in Parliament. |
| There is no obvious front-runner, but British bookmakers are already offering odds on some of the politicians they believe to be probable contenders for the job. They include hard-line Brexit supporters, vocal critics of the prime minister’s approach and supporters of her strategy. | There is no obvious front-runner, but British bookmakers are already offering odds on some of the politicians they believe to be probable contenders for the job. They include hard-line Brexit supporters, vocal critics of the prime minister’s approach and supporters of her strategy. |
| Here’s a look at potential successors who have been given the best odds at clinching the role. | Here’s a look at potential successors who have been given the best odds at clinching the role. |