What is happening in Westminster?
The Commons voted on Thursday to authorise the prime minister to request an extension to the two-year Article 50 negotiation process. Prior to this Mrs May is expected to return to the Commons next week for another vote on her twice-defeated Brexit deal.
What happens then?
If her deal is passed by next Wednesday, the prime minister will go to Brussels the following day to request a short Brexit delay to a date no later than June 30 to give herself time to pass legislative changes necessary for a smooth and orderly Brexit. If the Commons has not passed a deal by that time then Mrs May will request a longer extension.
How could Brexit be delayed and for how long?
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said that Brexit should be completed before the European elections which take place between May 23 and 26. If a longer extension was sought, that would mean taking part in the elections.
So, what happens on March 29?
It is still impossible to say. If a deal is somehow reached and legislated for then, although the UK will formally leave the EU at 11pm, very little will change as a transition period will smooth progress to the UK’s new future.
If there is a delay, the UK will still be in the European Union until the extension period expires. But if there is a no-deal Brexit, things are a lot more uncertain.