What Are Indicative Votes And Can It Break The Brexit Deadlock?

25 March 2019, 15:56 | Updated: 25 March 2019, 22:17

“Indicative votes” has become the latest term to be bounded around the Brexit chaos - but what are they and what would it mean for Britain’s EU exit?

Indicative votes are a way of testing whether there is a majority in the House of Commons for different options relating to one issue.

MPs approved the idea by 329 to 302 votes on Monday night after it was put forward Conservative MP Sir Oliver Letwin.

How do indicative votes work?

Before any indicative votes can be held, MPs must secure parliamentary time for debate - which is usually controlled by the government.

Previous attempts for backbenchers to seize control of the timetable have been narrowly rejected.

However, tonight, a new attempt won a majority in the Commons.

The House of Commons could vote on a number of Brexit options later this week. Picture: PA

What are the options MPs could vote on?

There are seven options the Commons could be asked to vote on.

These include:

- Revoking Article 50
- A second referendum
- Theresa May’s deal
- No-deal Brexit
- A “Canada-style” free trade agreement
- Customs Union
- Customs Union and Single Market access

It’s not clear whether there is a majority in Parliament for any of the above options.

Does the government have to listen?

No, indicative votes aren’t legally binding on the government’s position.

Mrs May said she is "sceptical" about the plan and cannot agree to guaranteeing implement the result.

But, as one former House of Commons clerk told LBC, it would be difficult for the Prime Minister to ignore.

“If an indicative vote does bring an alternative option for Brexit, the government does have a very stark political choice to make as to whether they can continue in office having been frustrated by the legislator,” Eliot Wilson said.