What time is the Brexit vote? And how is it going to happen?

Copyright Reuters

Published on 15/01/2019 - 14:29•Updated 14:53

What time is the Brexit vote?, what is the Irish backstop? and is the UK really stockpiling food? We answer all of your top Google searches.

British MPs are preparing to vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal with the European Union.

But what time is the crucial vote, what is the contentious “Irish backstop” and what will happen if there is a “no deal” Brexit?

We have the answers to all of the top questions that you have been asking Google ahead of the vote.

1. What time is the Brexit vote?

Parliament’s voting session on May’s Brexit deal is scheduled to begin at 7pm local time (8pm CET).

The vote on the Brexit plan itself is likely to take place at around 9pm CET, with the announcement of the result expected about 15 minutes later.

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow said he had provisionally chosen four amendments to the legislation to be put to lawmakers before they vote on the overall Withdrawal Agreement.

Bercow might, however, select further amendments before the voting session begins.

You can follow live updates from the vote here.

2. What is the ‘backstop’?

The backstop is a kind of insurance policy to ensure that there is no hard border between Northern Ireland in the UK and the Republic of Ireland in the EU whatever the outcome of future trade talks.

3. What are the Brexit amendments?

A number of amendments to the deal have been tabled by MPs ahead of Tuesday’s vote.

These are, in effect, attempts by members of parliament to change the wording of the main motion, and thus alter the outcome, but also include time constraints and legal quandaries. These are not legally binding but may be politically difficult for the government to ignore.

4. What is Theresa May’s Brexit deal?

The Withdrawal Agreement reached between the UK and the European Union is a 585-page document detailing the terms of the divorce and future relations between the two parties.

You can get the full details here:

5. How will my MP vote on the Brexit deal?

May is widely expected to lose Tuesday’s vote, with British bookmakers predicting that just 200-249 MPs of the more than 600 expected to take part will side with the proposed deal.

Many MPs have publicly declared their plans for the vote on social media.

You can get live updates on how MPs are voting here.

6. What is happening with Brexit?

May is hoping that her Brexit deal with the European Union will be approved by parliament on Tuesday so it can be put into action.

However, it is widely expected to be defeated, leaving the country in further limbo over its membership of the bloc — with possible outcomes including a fresh election and a second referendum.

7. How many days until Brexit?

If May’s deal fails to pass the parliamentary hurdle, the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty.

However, as things stand, by law the UK is set to leave the EU on March 29, 2019 — deal or no deal.

8. Is the UK stockpiling food for Brexit?

Manufacturer Emergency Food Storage said around 600 people have purchased a €331 "Brexit box" since it launched the product in December.

The box includes 60 freeze-dried meals, 48 portions of meat, a water filter and firestarter.

"I think people are concerned with the Brexit outcome, it's a bit of a chaotic situation", James Blake, managing director of the firm, told Euronews on Monday.

"We are in a situation where we don't have a good deal, which possibly might not go through... and there could be a problem with borders".

9. How many people voted for Brexit?

More than 33 million people took part in the 2016 referendum, voting to leave the EU by 52% to 48%.

In total, 17,410,742 voted in favour of leaving the bloc.

10. What happens if there is a ‘no deal’ Brexit?

Many political leaders, institutions, and companies have warned of severe disruption and economic damage in the case of a “no deal” Brexit — with the UK being hit worse than the EU.

Two major reports by the UK Treasury and the Bank of England last year assessed the potential damage to the economy of various Brexit scenarios.

However, Brexiteers have long dismissed “Project Fear” forecasts and some argue that the UK would be fine under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has warned of “significant delays” at borders and said there would be “no specific arrangement” for EU citizens living in the UK or Britons in Europe in the case of a “no deal”.

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