British MPs Rip May’s Power over Brexit Deal to Hold “Indicative Votes”

On March 25, 2019, Members of British Parliament, ripped the control of Brexit process away from Prime Minister Theresa May by voting to seize control of the parliamentary timetable to hold indicative votes. The amendment tabled by former Tory minister Oliver Letwin passed with 329 votes in favor of indicative votes and 302 voting against.

 

What are indicative votes?
Indicative votes are votes by MPs on a series of non-binding resolutions. They are a means of testing the will of the House of Commons on different options relating to one issue. To sum up, the parliament now has a chance to vote on what type of Brexit it wants through a series of options such as no-deal Brexit, leaving with a deal Brexit, 2nd referendum etc. This is to find out which option has the greatest support in the parliament.

It seems very easy and straightforward, but in reality, it does not. Back in 2003, the parliament held indicative votes to reform House of Lords, and none of the options won the majority.

However, these indicative votes do not conclude how the controversy over Brexit will end. The question is how to negotiate with the EU afterward.

 

May earlier declined to say whether she would abide by the outcome of a process of indicative votes.

More importantly, three ministers resigned from government in order to back the Letwin amendment: the foreign affairs minister, Alistair Burt, the health minister Steve Brine and the business minister Richard Harrington. A total of 29 Tory MPs rebelled to vote for the amendment.

 

Last week, the EU had allowed Britain to hold another vote in the parliament which would allow Britain to leave the bloc by May 22 if the voters get approved. If lawmakers reject her deal for the third time, April 12 will be the new deadline for Britain to come up with a new plan or choose to quit without a treaty.