Brexit: Everything you need to know about the vote of no confidence in the government

The vote comes a day after Theresa May suffered the biggest Commons defeat in history, on her Brexit deal (Getty)

Given Theresa May has just suffered the biggest Commons thumping in history – a majority of 232 against her Brexit deal – it might appear obvious that MPs lack confidence in her.

However, for Jeremy Corbyn to have any chance of the general election he craves, the Commons must deliver that verdict on a specific motion, in a vote on Wednesday night.

It is the first time the procedure has been used under the terms of the 2011 Fixed Term Parliaments Act – without which the prime minister would almost certainly have resigned already.

1. On what will MPs vote?

   A motion reading: “That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government” – Mr Corbyn will speak first, after which the prime minister will respond, ahead of a vote at 7pm.

2. Hasn’t Ms May faced a no-confidence vote already?

   That was only a vote of her own MPs, last month – which she survived, damaged but unbowed, by a margin of 200 to 117.

3. What happens if she loses tonight?

   It triggers a scramble to see if an alternative government can be formed, which can command the confidence of the Commons, which must be achieved within 14 days.

4. Would the prime minister have to resign immediately?

   Technically no – she could attempt to lead a different government herself – but, in reality, she would almost certainly have to quit. The Conservatives could try to win a confidence vote under a new leader, or Mr Corbyn could try to head a coalition of opposition parties.

5. Would there be a general election, if Ms May loses tonight?

   Only if an alternative government cannot be formed within two weeks, but it would become significantly more likely.

6. Will the prime minister win the vote?

   Almost certainly – after both the Democratic Unionist Party and the rabidly anti-EU European Research Group of Tory MPs said they would back her.

7. What is the impact on the Brexit process?

   It makes no difference – assuming the government wins – other than to delay Ms May’s promise to talk to other parties to try to rescue her deal by 24 hours.

8. Will there be more no-confidence votes?

   That’s highly likely, after Mr Corbyn’s spokesman said “it will go on being the case that the best outcome is a general election” – a tactic to avoid ever backing a Final Say referendum, his critics say.