Thread by @woodstockjag

Monday's "Next Steps" debate is shaping-up to be a very important one in Parliament. On the face of it, it's a debate about the Government's written statement from Friday. The motion is "neutral" (i.e. it simply says the House has considered the statement) parliament.uk/business/publi…

However, in practice, the debate is unlikely to be confined to the narrow parameters of the statement, not least because the premise of its content was that a third meaningful vote would take place this week. That did not happen.

Unless an actual decision is taken on whether to agree to any extension by the European Council today or tomorrow it seems likely that the House will use this debate to clarify what further steps should be taken *in Parliament* and *with the EU* in the four days following Monday.

Because of the Grieve amendment from December 2019, the "Next Steps" motion is amendable. This means MPs will have the opportunity to seek to influence Government policy on (a) the substance and (b) the process of what should happen. But no motion can, in itself, change the law.

This debate is the last time the Gov't legally must provide for a Commons debate concerned with the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Any decision to attempt to bring back MV3 or an "exit day" SI would be (a) a Gov't choice and (b) subject to political developments with the EU.

Default position in EU law remains that UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March. Since "ratification" before then now appears unlikely (even if MV3 passes) this means departing from that default requires either (a) a decision to extend by the EU or (b) revocation by the UK.

Extension requires the UK to meet any conditions the EU27 attach to an extension, its length and its purpose *before* 29 March 2019.

We do not know for certain whether primary legislation is needed for revocation, but if it is, it must also get Royal Assent before 29 March.

If MPs wish to have an influence in this process, beyond approving or not approving MV3, Monday is therefore a (and very possibly "the") critical moment. Difficult to see how Parliament can best assert itself in the process in that four day window (e.g. re indicative votes).