Thread by @Joe_Marshall0

1. A thread attempting to make sense of what has been happening in Parliament (also, as always, things are evolving)

2. MPs are currently debating the Gov's porposed deal ahead of the 'Meaningful Vote', due to be held next Tuesday, having previously been delayed before Christmas. Our @instituteforgov explainer outlines what this means. instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/par…

3. If the deal is voted down, we've known for a long time that the Gov would have to come back to Parliament with a 'next steps' motion. We've also known since December that MPs would be able to amend this motion.

4. This means MPs can use both the motion currently being debated, and the 'next steps' motion, to tell the gov what it wants instead, if they want to. So far, MPs have largely chosen to avoid making substantive amds to the MV motion- although John Mann's recent amd does a little

5. What MPs seemed to do yesterday is shorten the time frame for the Gov to come back to Parli with the 'next steps' motion. It now has 3 sitting days to lay the motion after losing the first vote. Parli isn't sitting next Friday, so the Gov would have to come back by Monday 21st

6. What was controversial was the way in which this was done. When the Gov resumed the delayed MV debate, it did so by amending the original business motion (which outlined the procedure for debate), using a supplementary business motion. Usually, only the gov can amend these.

7. There was also no time scheduled for MPs to debate this sup business motion.
However, the Speaker did allow a backbench amendment tabled by Grieve to be voted on- which aimed to shorten the timetable for the 'next steps' vote.

8. The role of the Speaker is undoubtedly important. He has great flexibility in selecting amendments for debate and vote- which could prove important in the MV motion, the next steps motion and future Brexit legislation.

9. Many MPs argued that the Speaker unilaterally changed Parli rules- and so overstepped the mark. While he did seem to change past practice, he tried to suggest this was exceptional, and ultimately, he is the final arbiter of the Parli rules.

10. There is also now debate about whether the terms of the next steps motion have changed. No10 seem to suggest time for debate will be limited to 90 mins, and only 1 amd can be tabled against it (unless a Biz motion changes the rules).

11. However- it seems highly likely MPs will want to discuss any next steps motion and amend it. If they are prevented, expect them to use other Parli options- like UQs and Emergency Debates - to express their views, and on current form the Speaker is likely to find time

12. However, it is also important that MPs have chosen to force the Gov's hand and bring them back to Parli early if they lose next week. Parli also took aim at some of the Gov's no deal preparations on Tuesday by amending the Finance Bill. This shows Parli is flexing its muscles

13. Yet, as @cath_haddon has said, Parli has yet to say what it wants instead of the PM's deal- despite having had opportunities.
All the while, the clock is ticking down to the no deal default on 29 March

14. Parliament may not want a no deal, but it cannot wish it away. Preventing it requires the Gov and Parli to work in tandem. The Gov needs to take the initiative and attempt to change the default, and Parli needs to lend its support. capx.co/can-parliament…

15. Be sure to follow @cath_haddon and @aliceolilly for more insightful analysis, and @elliott_xtensen and @addadc for excellent visuals on how Parli is debating and voting on Brexit. The @instituteforgov website also has a host of explainers making sense of Parli and Brexit