Brexit block: so many possible outcomes, so little time
Ten weeks left, the Commons is in chaos and the range of possibilities remains wide
UK prime minister Theresa May listens during a debate on a motion of no confidence. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Ten weeks out from the date when Brexit is due to take place, the extraordinary thing is that the range of possible outcomes remains so wide. The massive defeat in the House of Commons of the proposed withdrawal agreement championed by UK prime minister Theresa May has plunged the whole process into fresh uncertainty. So how could it all work out?
The first thing to note is that if nothing is agreed, then the UK will leave the EU on March 29th in what is called a no-deal Brexit, when all trading and regulatory rules change overnight. It is clear that a majority in the House of Commons does not want this to happen – and neither does the EU. But something has to change for it to avoided.