Theresa May will undertake a whirlwind tour of European capitals in a bid to secure more time to lock in a withdrawal deal before Brexit.

The prime minister will meet both German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Emmanuel Macron, who has taken a more bullish position with the UK over Brexit.

Ms May has cancelled her weekly cabinet on Tuesday to facilitate the meetings, and is also expected to hold a series of calls with other leaders.

It comes as she continues in cross-party discussions with Labour in a bid to chart a course forward, though no face-to-face meetings were scheduled as of Monday morning.

The prime minister is expected to see Ms Merkel in Berlin on Tuesday afternoon, before heading to Paris for a meeting with Mr Macron.

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Show all 30 1 /30 Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit leave the European Union supporters attend a rally in Parliament Square after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The protest march which started on March 16 in Sunderland, north east England, finished on what was the original date for Brexit to happen before the recent extension Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds up a poster during a rally after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London, Friday, March 29, 2019. Pro-Brexit demonstrators were gathering in central London on the day that Britain was originally scheduled to leave the European Union. (AP Photo/ Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit protester holds a sign next to a statue of Winston Churchill at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square in Westminster, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 29, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Jonathan Brady PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit protesters hold signs and wave flags at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit epa07471421 Pro-Brexit protesters gather outside of the Parliament for Nigel Farage's 'March to Leave' in London, Britain, 29 March 2019. MPs rejected Prime Minister's May EU withdrawal agreement earlier in the day. EPA/NEIL HALL NEIL HALL EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament REUTERS Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters march outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A man holds satirical paintings of politicians Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament PA

Ms May’s spokesperson said: “She always engages with European leaders in the lead-up to council. This is obviously a unique council, that is particularly focused on Brexit.

“The prime minister set out a clear ask in her letter to Donald Tusk on Friday in terms of an extension and she believes it’s important that she can set out the rationale for that ask as widely as possible in the lead up to council.”

At an emergency European Council summit on Wednesday night, Ms May will seek a short extension to the Article 50 negotiating period, to allow her more time to get some kind of Brexit deal through the House of Commons.

While Ms Merkel’s influence on the outcome is clear, Mr Macron’s position has come under increased scrutiny because he has appeared, publicly at least, more willing to allow the situation to move towards a no-deal Brexit.

The prime minister is also due to speak to a number of other European leaders by telephone later today, with officials suggesting the ring-around will be wider then before other summits.

The trips before Wednesday’s council mean that the usual Tuesday cabinet meeting will be struck off, a gathering which could have seen sparks fly amid Brexiteer anger at the apparent shift towards a softer Brexit.

Solicitor general Robert Buckland told the BBC’s Westminster Hour that a customs union would bring an end to freedom of movement and amounts to delivering on the “vast majority of the aims of Brexit”.

Brexit: Chancellor Philip Hammond insists government has 'no red lines' in crisis talks with Labour

The Independent understands that ministers hope further talks with Labour could occur on Tuesday evening, though it is unclear at this point if they plan to set out an offer of a compromise to the party’s leader Jeremy Corbyn to facilitate the talks.

While there was briefing over the weekend that Ms May is considering offering Labour a customs union in all but name as an incentive to reach a deal, no plan had been tabled by Monday morning.

Ms May is likely to highlight the ongoing process with Labour when she goes to Brussels, as a reason that European leaders should grant the short extension to Article 50 that she wants, rather than a long one.