The UK Parliaments once again expressed what they don’t want about Brexit, without saying what they want. With April 12 cliff-edge looming, there is still no sign of a breakthrough.

All eight Brexit alternatives were defeated in the UK House of Commons on Wednesday. That means no majority emerged support any options including no deal, a referendum, a customs union and a Norway-style deal. The closet results was for a “permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU”, which was voted down by 264 to 272. The call for confirmatory referendum was voted down by 268 to 295.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Theresa May offered to resign if her Brexit deal gets approved by the parliament in a third meaningful vote. She told the Conservative 1922 Committee that “I know there is a desire for a new approach – and new leadership – in the second phase of the Brexit negotiations, and I won’t stand in the way of that.” She added “I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party.”

With May’s offer, more hard-line Brexiteers turned to support her deal. A key consideration is that the change in leadership for the most important of next phase in negotiations. Trade negotiations and futures relationship will be on the line, which Brexiteers would be eager to get a firmer control on. However, it remains uncertain how May could get enough votes as Northern Ireland’s DUP repeated its objection to the deal.

The prospect of another meaningful vote for UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal is in doubt. House of Commons speaker John Bercow firmed up his “no repeat votes” ruling today. In short, he restated his ruling that a new vote will only be allowed if there is substantial changes. Additional, he pledged to block any attempt by the government to use a procedural rule change to get round such decision.

The prospect of another meaningful vote for UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal is in doubt. House of Commons speaker John Bercow firmed up his “no repeat votes” ruling today. In short, he restated his ruling that a new vote will only be allowed if there is substantial changes. Additional, he pledged to block any attempt by the government to use a procedural rule change to get round such decision.

Meanwhile, eight amendments are chosen by Bercow to be put to indicative votes today. They include

• Conservative John Baron’s No deal
• Conservative Nick Boles’s Common Market 2.0
• Conservative George Eustice’s Efta and EEA
• Conservative Ken Clarke’s – Customs union
• Labour’s – Customs union and alignment with single market
• SNP Joanna Cherry’s – Revocation to avoid no deal
• Dame Margaret Beckett’s – Confirmatory public vote
• Marcus Fysh’s – Contingent preferential arrangements

Here is Bercow’s statement on no repeat rules:

“In the course of answering questions following her statement [on Monday], the prime minister accepted this constraint, saying that “I am very clear about the strictures that Mr Speaker gave when he made his statement last week and, were we to bring forward a further motion to this house, we would of course ensure that it met the requirements he made.”

I understand that the government may be thinking of bringing meaningful vote three before the house either tomorrow or even on Friday, if the house opts to sit that day.

Therefore, in order that there should be no misunderstanding, I wish to make clear that I do expect the government to meet the test of change. They should not seek to circumvent my ruling by means of tabling either a notwithstanding motion or a tabling motion. The table office has been instructed that no such motions will be accepted.

I very much look forward, colleagues, to today’s debate and votes which give the house the chance to start the process of positively indicating what it wants.”

UK CBI Reported Sales dropped sharply to -18 in March, down from 0 and missed expectation of 5. That is, 28% of respondents reported that sales volumes were up on a year ago in March, while 46% said they were down, giving a balance of -18%. It’s the fastest contraction in 17 months, marked four-month run in which sales have not grown.

Anna Leach, CBI head of economic intelligence, said: “Even accounting for Easter timing, the High Street’s poor run continues. While real wage growth is picking up, consumer confidence has been hit by escalating uncertainty over Brexit and concern over the economy’s future. The pain currently being felt on the High Street is yet another reason why it is so vitally important politicians agree a deal in Parliament that is acceptable to the EU and protects our economy. No-deal must be averted at all costs.”

Full release here.