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Brexit vote: What will happen during the emergency Saturday Commons sitting?

From amendments to planned protests

Jon Stone
Europe Correspondent
Friday 18 October 2019 17:33 BST
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It has been 37 years since parliament sat on a Saturday – and that was for the Falklands
It has been 37 years since parliament sat on a Saturday – and that was for the Falklands

MPs are meeting for a special sitting of the House of Commons to vote on Boris Johnson’s new Brexit deal on Saturday.

When was the last time this happened?

The last time parliament sat on a Saturday was 37 years ago in 1982, to discuss the Falklands War. Until this weekend, it had only happened four times since 1939: once for the outbreak of the Second World War, once to adjourn summer debates and once for the Suez Crisis.

When does everything kick off?

The Commons will convene relatively early, at 9.30am. Proceedings will open with a statement by the prime minister about the agreement he has struck with Brussels.

This will be followed by 90 minutes of debate and questions from MPs, with the first response likely to go to the leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn.

When do they vote?

After that, at around 11am, there’ll be a motion on the deal put to the house. That motion will be moved by another minister.

Only at that point will we know what, if any, amendments to the motion the speaker, John Bercow, has selected for a vote.

The length of the process will depend on the number of amendments selected: a vote might come as late as the evening, or sometime in the afternoon.

What about amendments?

The amendment to watch is the Letwin plan, tabled by former Tory MP Oliver Letwin and other MPs including Hilary Benn.

This amendment would withhold full approval for the Brexit deal until all the implementing legislation has been passed: MPs argue that without it, the risk of a no deal remains.

If it passes – and well-informed estimates of support suggest it will – then the final vote on the deal will be postponed.

So the final decision might not be on Saturday?

Another effect of the Letwin amendment would be that Boris Johnson is compelled by the Benn Act to seek an extension from the EU. That act was passed by backbenchers and the opposition to ensure that an extension is requested to prevent a no deal from occurring.

If it all goes down as expected, the moment of truth on the actual Brexit deal will be delayed another time – though Downing Street insists the vote will go ahead no matter what.

And outside?

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be marching through London for a major demonstration calling for a Final Say. Organised by the People’s Vote campaign and supported by The Independent, the march will start at midday on Saturday, 19 October, with protesters assembling at Park Lane before walking along Whitehall towards Parliament Square. Cross-party politicians and celebrities will address the crowds at a rally outside parliament as MPs debate.

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