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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Dan Bloom

Brexit: 5 fast facts you need this morning as Theresa May plays her final card

It's the morning after the night before in Westminster, where yesterday's drama will enter the history books.

Theresa May offered to resign in a final plea to get her twice-rejected Brexit deal through the House of Commons.

That could spark a Tory leadership contest on May 22, and Next Conservative leader odds: Runners and riders to replace Theresa May are already jostling for position.

But she could pull plans for a vote tomorrow after around 30 Tory 'Spartans' and the DUP STILL refused to back it.

Meanwhile MPs voted for what kind of Brexit they want, and rejected every single option.

We've explained last night's drama and what it means in more detail Brexit: What the hell happened last night and what happens now? but here's a condensed version of 5 fast facts you need to digest this morning.

Brexit: What the hell happened last night and what happens now?  

1. We could have a new Prime Minister in June

Theresa May told Tory MPs last night she will QUIT within weeks - if her deal passes (Jack Taylor)

After months of pressure, and despite surviving a snap election mauling and a no confidence vote, Theresa May told Tory MPs last night that she will QUIT within weeks.

She said: "I know there is a desire for a new approach – and new leadership – in the second phase" of Brexit talks.

There's just one condition. All MPs have to do is approve her Brexit deal by the end of the week.

If the deal passes, it triggers a leadership contest from May 22.

124,000 Tory members are likely to pick a more hardline, Brexiteer MP who would take a tougher stance with the EU.

That new PM would face huge pressure to call an election before negotiating Brexit without a public mandate.

Next Conservative leader odds: Runners and riders to replace Theresa May  

2. But Theresa May might have to trundle on

The offer to quit simply wasn't enough (AFP/Getty Images)

The offer to quit simply wasn't enough last night after the hardline DUP, and dozens of Tory Brexiteers, refused to back the deal.

That means the PM might pull plans to hold her Brexit deal vote tomorrow - and therefore not have to resign.

Boris Johnson Boris Johnson BACKS Brexit deal moments after Theresa May promises to resign but around 30 'Spartan' Tory MPs angrily disagreed.

One, Mark Francois, shouted "NO!" at journalists outside a meeting before slamming a door.

Another, Steve Baker, said he was "consumed with a ferocious rage" adding: "I could tear this place down and bulldoze it into the river.

"These fools and knaves and cowards are voting on things they don’t even understand."

The feeling's mutual, mate.

Boris Johnson BACKS Brexit deal moments after Theresa May promises to resign  

3. MPs voted No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No

Appropriately, Eton Mess was on sale in the Commons yesterday. Top trolling (PA)

Meanwhile MPs finally voted for what they want from Brexit - and decided they didn't want anything.

They held a string of historic “indicative votes” in a bid to finally work out what sort of Brexit, if any, they could support.

The process was billed as a dramatic "taking back control" from the flailing Prime Minister.

Led by Oliver Letwin, MPs chose between eight options for Brexit including a customs union, second referendum, revoking Article 50 and No Deal.

But MPs failed to give a single option a majority.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the inconclusive result “strengthens our view that the deal the government has negotiated is the best option”.

Brexit indicative vote results in FULL: How MPs voted on options for UK's future  

4. But they ARE swinging towards soft Brexit

We may yet be able to light the way (Leon Neal)

Although nothing won a majority, MPs will hold a second round of "indicative votes" on Monday - and this time, they may rank their results by preference.

That's when the amount of support each option got last night will be important.

A second referendum led with 268 votes, followed by a customs union on 264, Labour's plan on 237, Common Market 2.0 on 188 and revoking Article 50 on 184.

What do all those options have in common? They all mean a soft Brexit or no Brexit at all.

And if we have preferential voting - where MPs can rank what they want - we could end up with one of those options, even if it doesn't get a majority.

Jeremy Corbyn is continuing talks to try and thrash out a plan before Monday, his ally Rebecca Long-Bailey said this morning.

Brexit: Second referendum blocked by just a handful of Labour MPs  

5. Speaker Bercow could still decide it all today

Or-dEEEHHHRRR! (REUTERS)

Even if Theresa May decides to bring forward a third vote on her Brexit deal tomorrow, John Bercow could scupper it.

The Commons Speaker last night sent a warning shot by saying any vote must be "substantially" different to what MPs chose last time.

Importantly he clarified that a "paving" motion, to try and get round his ruling, would not be enough.

Expect high drama if he decides to upturn Theresa May's plan.

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