Brexit deal: What happens when MPs return from recess?

Analysis: MPs will be returning to the Commons on 7 January to face one of the most crucial votes of recent times, writes political correspondent Ashley Cowburn

MPs will return to parliament to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal, with debates beginning on 9 January and the vote the following week (Getty)

On 7 January, MPs will return from a two-week recess and the first major decision facing them in 2019 will be whether to back or reject Theresa May‘s Brexit deal – one of the most crucial votes in the Commons in recent years.

It appears unlikely the prime minister will accept Jeremy Corbyn‘s challenge – made in a recent interview with The Independent – to recall parliament early, so the vote remains set to go ahead in the week beginning 14 January.

It had of course been pencilled in for 11 December, but after three days of debate Ms May made the decision to postpone the vote in the face of a near-certain defeat and suggestions that around 100 Conservative MPs could vote against the deal.