Brexit indicative vote EXPLAINED: What does the indicative vote MEAN?

Theresa MayMPs voted to seize control of the Brexit process from Prime Minister Theresa May. (Image: GETTY)

Negotiations over Britain's exit deal from the EU took a drastic turn last night as MPs voted to seize control of the Brexit process from Prime Minister Theresa May. 

A humiliating defeat yesterday where Parliament voted to support the cross-party amendment with 392 votes in support to 302 no’s, means the House of Commons has unprecedented control over the outcome for Brexit.

Now a series of indicative votes will now be held to test for a majority decision or sentiment on the best outcome for Brexit Britain.

But what actually are indicative votes and why would they happen?

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According to the Institute for Government: "Indicative votes are votes by MPs on a series of non-binding resolutions – it means they are a means of testing the will of the House of Commons on different options relating to one issue."

In the case of Brexit, supporters of indicative votes believe it could pave a way out of the current stalemate for the UK’s exit from the EU.

In the two years since the Government triggered Article 50, MPs have tabled numerous amendments to government motions and bills – and yet there is still no clarity for a Brexit outcome. 

The Exiting the EU Committee suggested a series of indicative votes be held to “test the sentiment of MPs and narrow down the range of options”, helping push the process forward.

Theresa MayMPs have tabled numerous amendments to government motions and bills. (Image: GETTY)

The Government is not usually bound by indicative votes, unless it has agreed to be so beforehand

The Institute for Government

Usually the government has control over the day-to-day happenings in Parliament.

But with the backing of the cross-party proposal for MPs, the control over Brexit has been seized from Theresa May.

The precise format of the votes was not set out

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