After Monday’s dramatic Cabinet resignations and furious debate over the shape of Brexit, the UK seems to be heading into a period of extreme uncertainty.
What are the possible scenarios which could play out over the coming months?
– Coup against May
Disgruntled Brexiteers need to muster 48 MPs’ signatures to secure a vote of no confidence, and 159 Tories’ votes to oust Theresa May and trigger a summer-long battle for the leadership, with possible candidates including Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid and maybe Jacob Rees-Mogg.
A full-blown three-month contest would produce a new Prime Minister – and potentially an entirely different approach to Brexit – just weeks before the crunch Brussels summit in October at which Britain’s withdrawal agreement is due to be finalised.
– General election
Despite Labour hopes, it is difficult to see the circumstances in which the country would be plunged into its third general election in four years.
Under Fixed-Term Parliaments Act rules, a majority in the Commons would have to vote no confidence in the Government to bring on an election. In practical terms, this means Mrs May losing the support of her Democratic Unionist Party allies or a sizeable number of Eurosceptic Tories – both groups with reason to fear a loss of influence in a new Parliament.
– Chequers solution
If Mrs May holds on as leader and manages to rally her troops behind the Brexit plan agreed by the Cabinet at Chequers last week, she still faces the tough challenge of winning the EU over to her proposals.
The PM has mounted a diplomatic charm offensive over recent days to sell the plan to EU leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But the Brussels establishment is still likely to baulk at provisions which they regard as “cherry-picking” the advantages of EU membership while dodging obligations.
– Free trade deal
The favoured fallback option of many Brexiteers would see Britain accepting a free trade agreement of the kind enjoyed by countries such as Canada.
While providing reassurance to manufacturers that goods can continue to move with little friction to and from the continent, a Canada-style FTA could severely restrict access for the UK’s dominant services sector.
– No deal
Mrs May continues to insist that “no deal is better than a bad deal” and has ordered preparations to be stepped up, but there is little doubt that many within Government view the prospect of quitting the EU next March without any agreement as deeply unattractive.
Some enthusiastic Brexiteers believe a no-deal solution would free the UK to forge new trade agreements around the world under WTO rules. But opponents warn it could deal a damaging blow to British industry and cause chaos at the borders.
– Second referendum
While ministers have emphatically ruled out a national referendum on the final Brexit deal, demands are growing for a “People’s Vote” to allow the public to decide whether to leave on the terms obtained by the Government or remain in the EU.
With opinion polls regularly suggesting that voters now think Britain was wrong to opt for Brexit in 2016, Labour has kept the door open to a second vote, while Liberal Democrats have made it a central demand.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here