LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s defeats in parliament on Tuesday and Wednesday leave Brexit up in the air.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson reacts as leader of the opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (bottom) speaks in the House of Commons in London, Britain September 3, 2019. ©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/Handout via REUTERS
Lawmakers were on Wednesday trying to pass a law through the lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, that would force Johnson to seek a three-month delay to Brexit. Johnson was then due to ask parliament to vote for an early election.
Following is the outline of what is expected to happen. All times are GMT.
FIRST STAGE OF LEGISLATION
1600: Lawmakers voted by 329 to 300 to approve the first stage of the legislation to force Johnson to seek a delay to Brexit, put forward by Labour lawmaker Hilary Benn.
SUBSEQUENT STAGES OF LEGISLATION
1600-1800: The House of Commons carries out a more detailed debate on the legislation, including proposed changes put forward by lawmakers. This is known as the committee stage. At the end of this stage they will vote on any amendments selected by the deputy speaker, who oversees the debate.
After voting on amendments, lawmakers will be asked to give the legislation its final approval. If this passes, it will then move to the upper chamber, the House of Lords.
How long this stage lasts depends on how many votes there are. Each vote takes around 15 minutes.
GENERAL ELECTION VOTE
If the legislation is approved, Johnson will seek a vote on holding an early election. Lawmakers will hold a 90-minute debate before voting. Two-thirds of parliament’s 650 lawmakers – 434 – have to approve an election for it to go ahead.
Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Janet Lawrence and Kevin Liffey