With only a few hours of debate to go until......>

UK: With only a few hours of debate to go until the vote on the 2nd reading of

the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) at 1900BST (1400EDT) and subsequent vote on

the programme motion, this is a general summary of the state of play:

- 2nd reading likely to pass with support of Labour leavers and Conservative

soft Brexiteers.

- Vote on programme motion (to speed up passage of WAB) is on a knife edge. Most

independent Conservatives that backed Letwin amendment, including Letwin

himself, are likely to back the motion. However, Labour leavers seem much more

sceptical. 

- If programme motion fails PM has said he will pull WAB and call for an

election. Remains to be seen whether election will happen given opposition's

refusal to support and requirement of 2/3 support among MPs under fixed-term

parliament act.  

- If programme motion succeeds, parliament will have until end of day on Oct 24

to debate WAB and then hold vote on 3rd reading.