Explained: What happens behind the scenes of a Brexit vote in UK Parliament

The elaborate and time-consuming way British lawmakers make decisions in parliament has been thrust to the fore by Brexit, with the outcome of a series of votes next week set to determine how and when the country leaves the European Union.

Over three days, more than 600 lawmakers must decide whether to accept Prime Minister Theresa May's deal to leave the EU, leave without a deal, or delay Brexit altogether.

The voting process could take hours, and most of the drama takes place out of sight of television cameras. Critics say it is an outdated waste of time, others argue it offers