Brexit vote: Decision day for Theresa May’s deal as UK Parliament holds key vote

London CNN — Shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, British MPs face a choice that will affect the country’s 66 million citizens for many years to come. They will either vote to support Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, negotiated with the European Union, and set the country on its final road to leaving the EU on March 29. Video Ad Feedback May to Parliament: Give my deal a second look 00:46 - Source: CNN Last ditch The Prime Minister has spent the past week pushing hard for support for her deal, wielding both carrots and sticks – drinks receptions at Downing Street for wayward Conservative MPs and soothing phone calls to opposition Labour members: and threats that failure to support her deal would lead to Brexit being canceled and paralysis in Parliament. The PM told the House of Commons on Monday that a “no deal” Brexit could lead to the break up of the United Kingdom and appealed to MPs to give her plans a “second look.” Even EU leaders tried to help May’s campaign by issuing a statement on Monday setting out assurances that the controversial backstop, an insurance policy to prevent a hard border in Ireland, would only be temporary – but pro-Brexit lawmakers remained skeptical because the assurances carried no additional legal force. Brexit: A guide to key terms Article 50: The clause in the Treaty on European Union which allows a member state to leave the EUMeaningful vote: The parliamentary process where MPs vote to approve or reject the deal that Theresa May’s government has agreed with the EUIrish backstop: An insurance-type policy which ensures there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland if a trade agreement isn’t reachedNo deal: The event where the UK cannot reach an agreement with the EU on its withdrawal or future trade relationsTransition: The period between the UK leaving the EU and the start of their new relationship There will, however, be a vote which, if passed, would require the government to terminate the withdrawal agreement if the EU refuses to remove the backstop at the end of 2021.