Why are MPs debating different trading relationships with the EU when they are not part of Theresa May’s Brexit deal?

Analysis: Indicative votes in the Commons appear to be taking us back to Brexit square one, says Sean O’Grady, but can we really start the whole process again?

Brexit may have been taken out of Theresa May’s hands (AP)

It is often said that the Brexit choice is between a deal and no deal.

However, the current situation is that “the deal”, as agreed between the EU and the UK last November, is at best only a half a deal – a legally binding withdrawal agreement, plus only a “political declaration” about the future UK-EU trade and security treaty, that has no great legal force. A couple of other clarificatory documents have been tacked on more recently.

This is the package that the House of Commons has rejected twice, by overwhelming majorities, and which the prime minister will not bring back unless she has more assured support. We have also seen MPs reject a no-deal Brexit – a position now (probably) accepted by the prime minister.