Boris Johnson has achieved something that Theresa May never could - he convinced a majority of MPs to support a Brexit deal.
Despite losing the support of the DUP, on Tuesday night pro-deal Labour MPs and Tory Eurosceptics united to vote for the PM’s Withdrawal Agreement Bill - which nails down the deal in UK law - by a majority of 30.
But when it came to the fast-track three-day period Johnson wanted to get the Bill through parliament, MPs were opposed and voted down the government’s proposed timetable.
So what does the move mean for Johnson’s “do or die” pledge to take Britain out of the EU by October 31? We try to explain.
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MPs back the Brexit Bill, right?
MPs voted to approve the Bill in principle, but they also voted by 322 to 308 to reject Johnson’s plan to take the legislation through the Commons in just three days.
As a result, Johnson told MPs he would “pause” the WAB (Withdrawal Agreement Bill) until the EU takes a decision on whether to grant another Brexit delay.
So, there will be a delay to Brexit beyond Halloween?
In all likelihood, yes.
After the news of the votes emerged, EU Council President Donald Tusk tweeted that he will recommend to other EU leaders a delay beyond the Halloween deadline.
He was not specific about whether he would recommend a shorter flexible extension (dubbed a ‘flextension’) or insist on a full three-month delay, as the PM was forced to ask for due to the the anti- no-deal law passed by backbenchers known as the Benn Act.
What next for the Bill?
MPs want to scrutinise it fully. SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC said the timetable - or ‘programme motion’ - was “frankly ludicrous for such complex legislation”.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has offered to work with the government to agree a “reasonable timetable” for the WAB, but time will tell as to whether the PM agrees.
Will there be a general election?
All the main party leaders have said they want one.
Opposition parties and rebel MPs have resisted one as they wanted to ensure a no-deal Brexit on October 31.
Labour has insisted it wants to ensure a Brexit extension before agreeing to a poll, and its support for an election is critical.
Number 10 sources said on Tuesday night that were Brussels to insist on a three-month delay the PM would demand a general election.
How can an election be called?
The government could table a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, but this would require a two thirds majority.
Or, they could table a one-line Bill.
If opposition MPs refuse to back any government moves to force an election, Johnson may take the ‘nuclear option’ and trigger a confidence motion in his own administration.