
Theresa May last night appealed for MPs to set aside tribal loyalties to find a way forward on Brexit after dramatically surviving an attempt to oust her.

The Prime Minister said the British people wanted politicians to 'get on with' delivering on the verdict of the referendum - rebuking Jeremy Corbyn for turning down her offer of talks.

The address to the nation from Downing Street came after she defeated Mr Corbyn's no-confidence motion by 325 votes to 306, thwarting the Labour leader's bid to force a general election.

The victory was possible because the DUP and Tory Brexiteers came back into the fold despite dealing her a vicious humiliation on her EU deal the night before.

Speaking outside Number 10 late last night, Mrs May said: 'I understand that to people getting on with their lives, away from Westminster, the events of the past 24 hours will have been unsettling.

Theresa May said the British people wanted politicians to 'get on with' delivering on the verdict of the referendum - rebuking Jeremy Corbyn for turning down her offer of talks

Mrs May said veteran left-winger Mr Corbyn (pictured) would push up taxes, destroy jobs and wreck the public finances

'Overwhelmingly, the British people want us to get on with delivering Brexit, and also address the other important issues they care about.

'But the deal which I have worked to agree with the European Union was rejected by MPs, and by a large margin. I believe it is my duty to deliver on the British people's instruction to leave the EU. And I intend to do so.'

Immediately after her victory in the confidence vote was declared last night, Mrs May invited the other party leaders to join talks.

But in an extraordinary snub Mr Corbyn immediately refused, saying he would only join discussions if Mrs May ruled out no deal.

Tory and Labour MPs voiced anger that the veteran left-winger was willing to 'sit down with terrorists' without conditions, but would not meet the leader of the UK to resolve the biggest crisis facing the country.

Mrs May said she had held 'constructive' meetings with the leaders of the Lib Dems, SNP and Plaid Cymru.

'I am disappointed that the leader of the Labour Party has not so far chosen to take part, but our door remains open,' she added.

In the end the PM's margin of victory of 19 in the was bigger than the government's effective majority of 13

Mrs May tried to rally her divided MPs as she faced yet another battle for her political life with a confidence vote

DUP leaders Arlene Foster and Nigel Dodds (left) revealed they had held 'useful' talks with Theresa May ahead of the no confidence vote in the Commons

The Labour leader had dodged staging the vote for weeks but finally called it after the government suffered a 118-strong rebellion by Conservative MPs in the vote on the Brexit deal.

Senior backbenchers rule out power grab A plan to hand power over Brexit to a committee of backbench MPs was dealt a major blow last night. Former Tory ministers Nick Boles, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan proposed handing power to the Commons liaison committee. But last night the panel, which comprises all 36 select committee chairmen, rejected the idea. A senior source said it would not take on the role. Mr Boles responded immediately to say he would change his proposed bill so that it only provided for a delay to Article 50 to avoid No Deal. Supporters of the move, who are understood to include several Cabinet ministers, say it will allow Parliament to prevent the economic damage caused by leaving without an agreement. Nick Boles (pictured) said he would changed his proposed bill after backbenchers ruled out taking on Brexit negotiations Mr Boles tweeted: 'Apparently the liaison committee is not keen to take the role that is proposed for it in the EU Withdrawal No 2 Bill. This was always an optional extra and we will of course take it out. The bit that matters is the requirement that the PM requests an extension to Article 50 if she cannot get a compromise deal through the Commons within a few weeks. It is this that will stop No Deal Brexit and we remain totally committed to it.' Mr Boles has urged Mrs May to stop appealing solely to the DUP and her own party. He is pushing for an option that would keep the UK tied to the EU customs union and single market. He told Sky News: 'We need to rule out No Deal. There is absolutely no parliamentary majority for it and it would be catastrophic harmful to the country. There is a majority for a reasonable, soft Brexit deal – you could probably get about 400 MPs to vote for something. 'You are not going to get it if you rely only Conservative and DUP votes.' Advertisement

However, Mrs May was boosted when a former Labour MP, John Woodcock, declared that Mr Corbyn was 'not fit for high office'.

An independent unionist, Sylvia Hermon, also voted in her favour.

In the end the margin was significantly bigger than the government's effective majority of 13.

It was the first time a confidence vote has been held in the Commons since 1993, when John Major was PM.

Mrs May struck a bullish tone as she returned to Parliament in the wake of the Brexit deal drubbing, warning that allowing Mr Corbyn to seize power would send the economy into a tailspin and ridiculing his chaotic EU policy.

But she is still scrambling to find a way forward on Brexit as ministers clashed openly over the shape of the government's 'Plan B'.

Mrs May had already said she will 'open discussions' with senior MPs from other parties as she tries to forge a Parliamentary consensus on the way forward. Her effective deputy David Lidington has been put in charge of the charm offensive.

However, last night was the first time she had explicitly offered to open talks with other party leaders.

The PM held talks with DUP leader Arlene Foster in Westminster this evening, with Mrs Foster describing the meeting as 'useful'. 'The issue of the backstop needs to be dealt and we will continue to work to that end,' she said.

After the result was announced in the Commons, Mrs May said: 'The House has put its confidence in this Government.

'I stand ready to work with any member of this House to deliver on Brexit and ensure that this House retains the confidence of the British people.'

But Mr Corbyn responded: 'Before there can be any positive discussions about the way forward, the Government must remove clearly once and for all the prospect of the catastrophe of a no-deal Brexit from the EU and all the chaos that would come as a result of that.'

Mrs May did not respond directly - but Downing Street made clear that she will not be taking no deal off the table.

The PM met Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, and Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville Roberts in her Commons office.

No confidence vote in May is the first faced by a PM since 1993 The last time a government was defeated on a confidence motion was in 1979. The Labour government led by Jim Callaghan lost the opposition motion on March 28 1979 by just one vote, 311-310. Mr Callaghan immediately announced a dissolution of parliament and a general election, which was subsequently won by the Conservatives. Since 1900 there have been only three occasions when a government has lost a vote of confidence: twice in 1924 and once in 1979. There have not been any confidence motions formally tabled in the House of Commons since 1993. The most recent example was on July 23 1993, when the Conservative government of John Major tabled a motion of confidence in itself, to shore up support following its defeat the previous day on the Maastricht Treaty Social Chapter. The government won the motion 339-299. In November 1994, Mr Major, who became Sir John in 2005, made the passage of the European Communities (Finance Bill) 'in all its essentials' an issue of confidence, but no confidence motion was formally moved by the government or opposition. Votes of confidence were once regular occurrences in the House of Commons, with both governments and opposition parties using them to test support on the backbenches. There were eight such votes during the 1960s and nine during the 1970s. One of the most high-profile in recent decades took place on November 22 1990, when Labour moved a motion of no confidence in the Conservative government. It was prompted by Margaret Thatcher failing to secure re-election as Tory leader on the first ballot of a leadership contest. The government won the vote 367-247. Advertisement

In a letter to Mrs May after the discussions, Mr Blackford laid down conditions for entering formal talks.

'It is my view that if you are able to confirm that the extension of Article 50, a ruling out of a No Deal Brexit and the option of a second EU referendum would form the basis of those discussions, then we could participate in them,' he wrote.

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister has been very clear that the British public voted to leave the European Union.

'We want to leave with a deal but she is determined to deliver on the verdict of the British public and that is to leave the EU on March 29 this year.'

Mr Corbyn's aides insisted there will be no 'substantive' talks between the leaders on Brexit until she bows to his demands.

'There can't be meaningful talks about how to find a deal that reflects the majority in Parliament and that can command a majority in Parliament while the threat of no deal, which would be disastrous for the country... is still on the table.

'That must come off the table. It's effectively a blackmail and makes meaningful talks on a real solution that can command a majority in Parliament impossible.'

Tory MP James Heappey retorted: 'Jeremy Corbyn has sat down with terrorists around the world apparently in pursuit of and always without preconditions.

'But will he sit down with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to tackle biggest constitutional challenge of our time without preconditions? Errr, no.'

Labour MP Chris Leslie also said Mr Corbyn was wrong to snub the Prime Minister's offer.

He told MailOnline: 'Every opportunity to influence Brexit policy ought to be taken - surely we should be taking the chance to see the Prime Minister, even if all we get is time to persuade her of the merits of a People's Vote?'

Despite her warm words on compromise, the premier looked to close down the options this afternoon as she insisted the UK will still leave the EU at the end of March, and again ruled out staying in a customs union with the bloc.

To win and keep power a Prime Minister must be able to win votes in the Commons. This is known as confidence. Winning Budget votes is known as supply.

Historically, losing a confidence vote would have prompted the PM's immediate resignation or a general election. It last happened in 1979 when Labour's James Callaghan lost 311 to 310.

But under laws passed by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition government, defeat last night would have instead started a 14-day countdown to a general election.

Closing the debate for the government, Environment Secretary Michael Gove roasted Mr Corbyn for his limp response to the Russian nerve agent atrocity in Salisbury

Mr Gove listed the ways in which the Conservative government was protecting our nation's security, and contrasted that with the Labour leader

Mr Gove was congratulated after delivering his tub-thumping speech by Mrs May and Home Secretary Sajid Javid

If during that period Mrs May could return to the Commons and win a further vote the election would be stopped.

If Mr Corbyn could demonstrate he had the confidence of the House by assembling a new coalition, he could in theory replace Mrs May without an election.

The Tories have an effective majority of 13 in the House, as long as all MPs turn out. Any MP who goes against their respective party line in such a crunch vote can expected to have the whip removed and be deselected.

But Mrs May won by more, after a former Labour MP used the debate to launch an excoriating attack on Mr Corbyn as 'unfit to lead the country'.

John Woodcock said he would with a 'heavy heart' not vote to remove the Prime Minister in the vote despite being a life-long opponent of the Tories.

Mr Woodcock quit Labour last year after accusing the party of mishandling a harassment complaint against him. He was a long-standing critic of Mr Corbyn who repeatedly vowed never to vote to make him Prime Minister.

Dame Sylvia Hermon, an independent unionist, has also said she will support the government.

The commitments put the final nail in the coffin of Mr Corbyn's slim hopes of pulling off a surprise win in the vote - leaving him embarrassed.

How did MPs vote on Corbyn's no confidence motion? Theresa May won a motion of no confidence 325 to 306 last night, a majority of just 19. Unlike Tuesday night's showdown over Brexit, this vote split tightly along party lines. The Tories pulled an all-hands effort - getting all 314 of its available MPs through the division lobbies. It was also backed by all 10 DUP MPs, plus Independent Lady Sylvia Hermon. Labour almost managed the same, securing the support of 251 of its available MPs. The only one missing was Paul Flynn, who is away from Westminster on health grounds. Independent former Labour MPs Frank Field and Jared O'Mara backed the motion. Several independent MPs missed the vote - former Labour MP John Woodcock declared in advance he would never vote for Mr Corbyn. Also missing was Fiona Onasanya, who has been kicked out of Labour after being convicted of perverting the course of justice, and Ivan Lewis, who is suspended over harassment claims. Advertisement

In six hours of debate, DUP Nigel Dodds joked that Mr Corbyn was so unpopular with Labour MPs that they had been texting him asking him to support the government.

Closing the debate for the government, Environment Secretary Michael Gove delivered a tub-thumping speech roasting Mr Corbyn for his limp response to the Russian nerve agent atrocity in Salisbury.

Mr Gove listed the ways in which the Conservative government was protecting our nation's security, and contrasted that with the Labour leader.

He said: 'While we are standing up for national security, what about Mr Corbyn? He wants to leave Nato, he wants to get rid of our nuclear deterrent.

'And recently he said in a speech, why do countries boast about the size of their armies? That is quite wrong, why don't we emulate Costa Rica, that has no army at all?

'No allies, no deterrent, no army, no way can this country ever allow that man to be our Prime Minister.'

Mr Gove pointed out that Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson, who spoke immediately before him, had failed to mention Mr Corbyn once.

'We have several things in common - we've both lost weight, him much more so. We're both friends of Israel - him much more so,' he said.

To loud cheers from the Tory benches, he added: 'And we both recognise that Mr Corbyn is about he worst possible person to lead the Labour Party.'

As the government's Brexit woes deepened following the vote, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd appeared to contradict the PM by suggesting the UK could join a permanent customs union with the EU.

'It seems to me that everything has to be on the table because the priority is to find a negotiated settlement so we can leave the European Union,' Ms Rudd told the BBC's Politics Live.

The comments echoed remarks from Justice Secretary David Gauke earlier, who warned it was no longer possible for the government to 'box ourselves in' with red lines.

Chancellor Philip Hammond is said to have suggested to business leaders in a phone call that Article 50 would be extended and the government was entering a 'new era' in its approach.

The Tory splits deepened after a Cabinet meeting where Remain-leaning ministers including Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and Mr Gauke again urged Mrs May to call 'indicative votes' in the Commons on how to go forward with Brexit.

A Cabinet source told MailOnline a more hawkish group led by Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid, Gavin Williamson and Andrea Leadsom gave the idea a 'good kicking'. Another said the proposal was 'heavily sat on'.

Tory chairman Brandon Lewis also waded in by warning that party activists would not tolerate Mrs May making overtures to Labour MPs for a soft Brexit.

Ex-Labour MP John Woodwock (pictured in the Commons) said he would with a 'heavy heart' not vote to remove the Prime Minister in last night's vote despite being a life-long opponent of the Tories

Theresa May launched a furious attack on the Labour leader in brutal clashes at PMQs ahead of the no-confidence vote

The PM has been left scrambling to find a way forward after suffering the biggest Commons loss ever for a government, with an extraordinary 118 Tories rebelling against the plan.

More than a third of the parliamentary party, joined forces with Labour to sink Mrs May's withdrawal agreement by 432 votes to 202 - a majority of 230 - on a dramatic day at Westminster.

Before the vote, Mr Corbyn challenged Mrs May at PMQs to agree to a permanent customs union with the EU, and rule out no-deal Brexit.

But Mrs May shot back: 'There are actually two ways of avoiding no-deal. The first is to agree a deal. And the second would be to revoke Article 50.

'Now that would mean staying in the European Union, failing to respect the result of the referendum - and that is something that this government will not do.'

The defiant stance came as the EU and MPs heaped pressure on Mrs May to change tack, with calls for another national vote and Michel Barnier urging her to drop 'red lines'.

Mrs May's escape routes appear to be closing, with the EU signalling a tough line. The bloc's chief negotiator Mr Barnier goaded the premier by demanding she respond by abandoning her long-standing negotiation positions, such as ending free movement, ruling out a permanent customs union, and ending the jurisdiction of EU law.

While saying he was 'sad' the deal had been rejected, Mr Barnier suggested the defeat was an 'opportunity' to stay more closely aligned with the EU.

How do the Cabinet factions break down? The Cabinet has - just about - been able to unite around delivering Theresa May's Brexit deal. But now that it has been trounced in the Commons, simmering tensions are coming to the boil. Two distinct factions have been developing, with a Remain-leaning group pushing for a softer approach that reaches out to MPs across parties - and Brexiteers taking a more hawkish line. REMAINERS Philip Hammond Focused on avoiding economic fallout from Brexit and preventing a left-wing Corbyn administration, he is believed to regard both no-deal and failure to take the UK out of the EU as unacceptable. Stayed out of the row over 'indicative votes' but likely to side with the Remain faction on the need to protect business interests. Amber Rudd Before she was brought back into the Cabinet in November, Ms Rudd had aligned to the campaign for a second Brexit referendum. Since then she has led calls for 'indicative votes' to be staged in Cabinet, and urged the government to rule out no-deal Brexit. Greg Clark Has broken ranks to warn publicly that no deal would be a disaster, and suggested he will quit if it becomes government policy. David Gauke Another prepared to quit if the government goes for no-deal, and has hinted that he wants joining a permanent customs union to become government policy. Karen Bradley A long-standing ally of Mrs May, she usually follows the PM's lead but is generally on the side of the Remainers. BREXITEERS Jeremy Hunt A staunch Remainer in the referendum, the Foreign Secretary has since been reborn as an ardent Brexiteer - with many speculating about his leadership ambitions. Led the 'kicking' for the 'indicative votes' proposal, and was against ruling out no deal. Sajid Javid Another favourite for the Tory leadership, has taken a practical approach but might support a 'managed' no-deal Brexit above delaying or cancelling Article 50. Michael Gove Having spearheaded the Leave campaign with Boris Johnson, has been remarkably loyal to May's deal since wavering over quitting in November. Does not want a no-deal, but is adamant Brexit must happen and deeply opposed to a second referendum. Gavin Williamson Vehemently opposed to the 'indicative votes' idea, and close to the DUP, Mr Williamson has tended to side with the Brexiteers. He also harbours leadership ambitions which would be helped by a tough stance. Andrea Leadsom One of the original Brexiteers in Cabinet, adamant that there must be no delays and would back no deal over cancelling or holding a referendum. Advertisement

Justice Secretary David Gauke (pictured left ) hinted that he wants the government to support a permanent customs union with the EU. Chancellor Philip Hammond (right) is said to have suggested in a call with business leaders that Article 50 would be extended

Andrea Leadsom (pictured) is one of the harder line Brexiteers in the Cabinet, and insisted the Article 50 process should not be extended

Interviewed on the BBC's Politics Live, Mr Gauke dropped a heavy hint that he wanted the government to back a permanent customs union.

'I think the position today is given what happened in the House of Commons yesterday when we were defeated very heavily, the Prime Minister rightly said we need to engage across parliament, we need to do that constructively,' he said.

'When it comes to a customs union, our principle is that we are in favour of leaving the customs union so we can enter into trade agreements and no longer trade on WTO terms with third countries.

'But at this stage what we are doing is engaging with parliamentary opinion.'

Pressed on whether leaving the customs union was still a 'red line', Mr Gauke said: 'I don't think we can today be boxing ourselves in, what we ned to be doing is engaging across Parliament, seeing what ideas emerge where the support is for those particular ideas.

'And at that point we need to make an assessment – is there something that is both negotiable with the European Union and something which could have a majority support in the House of Commons.

'Today is about making an assessment of where the numbers are.'

The PM's spokesman played down the Cabinet split on the customs union in the wake of Mr Gauke's comments and insisted Mrs May's policy had not changed.

He said: 'His starting point is that there are advantages to being outside the customs and that is the Government's policy.'

He also denied that the PM had softened her policy on extending Article 50 and delaying Brexit.

He said: 'It is the government's policy to leave the European Union on 29 March 2019 – that is of course the Government's longstanding position.

Mr Hammond and Business Secretary Mr Clark used a private telephone call to tell business chiefs not to expect changes to the legal Brexit withdrawal text, but rather to the political declaration on future relations with the EU, according to Government sources.

Mr Hammond told those on the call the Government would not put any 'obstacles' in the way of a plan by Tory MP Nick Boles to give senior backbenchers a role in finding a solution to the deadlock, according to the Financial Times. The plan could see the Article 50 process delayed beyond March.

'We have to reach out to MPs in the Commons first,' the Chancellor is reported to have said. 'There is a large majority in the Commons that is opposed to no-deal.'

Other business leaders said Mr Hammond had said the government was entering a 'new era' in its Brexit policy.

In another extraordinary breach of government discipline, defence minister Tobias Ellwood tweeted: 'REALITY CHECK: Following defeat - Parliament is now in control.

'It has no appetite for 'no deal' and consensus is likely to lead to a lighter Brexit than offered via PM's deal. Or no Brexit.

'Defaulting to WTO terms was not in our Party's manifesto and not in Britain's interests.'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel heaped pressure on Mrs May by saying it was for the PM to propose Brexit solutions

The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier (pictured at the European Parliament) goaded Mrs May by demanding she respond by abandoning her long-standing negotiation positions, such as ending free movement, ruling out a permanent customs union, and ending the jurisdiction of EU law

How did your MP vote? 202 voted For and 432 Against in a historic - and devastating - Commons defeat for the Prime Minister

There is an almost unlimited number of possible scenarios of what might happen in the aftermath of a defeat and much will depend on the margin in tonight's vote

Baffled by Brexit? Here's everything you need to know about the plots, the votes and the deals (and what the Commons showdown REALLY means)

MPs voted on Theresa May's Brexit plan this week in what was set to be the most important decision taken by Parliament since the Second World War.

The PM suffered a catastrophic defeat in the crunch vote, with MPs seizing on her weakness to push their own plans for Britain's future with the EU.

Politicians are deeply divided over whether Brexit should be soft or hard, and if the UK should go for a Norway-style deal or a Canada plus plan.

But the terms and arguments deployed by MPs are often steeped in jargon and bamboozling to the ordinary Brit.

Here are some of the things that will help you to finally understand the Brexit debate rocking Britain and its Parliament.

Theresa May (pictured in the Commons) has struck a deal with the EU - but MPs voted it down by a massive majority

1. Plan B – what is it and why do we need one?

Theresa May has struck a deal with the EU - but MPs voted it down by a massive majority on Tuesday night, meaning she will have to come up with a Plan B.

And last week week MPs passed an amendment put forward by Tory Remainer Dominic Grieve which gives the PM just three working days to come up with her new plan.

It means she will be hauled back to the Commons on Monday to spell out what she will do next.

The PM has so far refused to say what her Plan B will be, but she will be under huge pressure to rule out a no deal Brexit and say what direction she plans to take the talks in next.

It is believed that Tory former ministers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve (pictured) are also involved in the plot have launched a plot to try to take over Brexit talks

Remainers will want her to go for a Norway-style deal, which will keep the UK in the single market and therefore free movement, or a second referendum.

While Brexiteers will push for the PM to go for a Canada-style free deal which will take Britain fully out of the EU's customs union and single market.

2. The Remainer plot - who is behind it and how would it work?

A group of Tory Remainers have launched a plot to try to take over Brexit talks if the PM cannot come up with a plan in three days.

Tory MP Nick Boles said that if this happens the Liaison Committee - a committee of 32 senior MPs which is dominated by Remainers - should take over the talks.

It is believed that Tory former ministers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve are also involved in the plot.

This plan to sideline the Government would flout the rules of Parliament, but Commons Speaker John Bercow - who would have the final say on if this is possible or not - has made it clear he is happy to re-write the rules when it comes to Brexit.

No10 believe that if the plan succeeds then the MPs on the committee will push for a softer Brexit, for example to get a Norway-style deal which would keep the UK in the single market and therefore keeping free movement of people.

3. No deal - what would it mean for Britain and who opposes it?

Britain has been locked in talks with the EU to thrash out a Brexit deal, but if a new plan cannot be quickly agreed then the UK will crash out with no deal.

But many MPs have warned they will do whatever it takes to block a no deal - fearing this will send the UK's economy into meltdown.

And a string of Cabinet ministers, including Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke are expected to quit the Cabinet in fury if the PM then backs a no deal Brexit.

Economic experts have issued dire warnings about the fall-out of a no deal with the CBI saying it could slash 8 per cent off the size of the UK's economy and plunging the country into a massive recession.

But there is a group of die-hard Brexiteers in the Tory Party, including Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the European Research Group, who say there is nothing to fear about a no deal Brexit.

This group sees going for a no deal Brexit as a step towards their goal of achieving a Canada plus style trade deal with the EU.

Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in the Commons) was defeated in his bid to force a general election with a no-confidence motion

4. No Confidence Vote - what is it and who would back it?

Jeremy Corbyn took up Theresa May's challenge to table a motion of no confidence in the government in the aftermath of the vote on the withdrawal deal.

If the PM lost the vote, then another candidate has 14 working days to hold and win a vote of confidence of MPs - if they manage this then they become PM.

If no party leader can do this within the two weeks then another general election is called.

But it is unlikely that the Labour leader will be able to win the backing of a single MP from the ranks of the Tories or the DUP - meaning his bid to topple Mrs May is likely to fail.

5. General Election - how could one be called and who wants it?

Labour have been demanding an election, while many commentators believe that the Tories may end up having to call another election to break the political deadlock in Parliament.

Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, Mrs May would need the Commons to agree to hold another election - and many MPs will be dead-set against the plan which they fear would cost them their seats and could hand Mr Corbyn the keys to No10.

But if the PM's deal is voted down and MPs cannot agree an alternative before the UK leaves on March 29 then an election may end up being called to bring in new MPs who may be able back a deal.

Many MPs are pushing for a second referendum to be held, less than three years after voters backed Brexit (file pic of voting booth)

6. Second referendum – why might we need one and what would the question be?

Many MPs are pushing for a second referendum to be held, less than three years after voters backed Brexit.

Remainers argue that with MPs unable to agree a deal among themselves then the only way forward is to send the question back to the public.

Many Labour MPs, the Lib Dems and a powerful group of Tory MPs all back a second referendum.

But Mrs May has repeatedly ruled out holding one while she is PM, and even backers of the plan are at loggerheads over what should be on the ballot paper.

Some Remainers believe voters should be offered a choice between the PM's plan and remaining in the EU on current terms, but some others believe a no deal Brexit on world trade organisation terms should be offered.

7. Who is Gareth Johnson, the latest Tory to quit the government?

Tory MP Gareth Johnson quit as a whip whose job it is to convince his fellow Conservative MPs to back the PM's plan - so he could oppose the deal.

He is the latest in a long line of Tory MPs who have resigned as aides and ministers to voice their objections to her blueprint.

The MP for Dartford has a strongly Leave-supporting seat, and he was appointed an assistant whip, one of the most junior ranks, in November last year.

Sources said he had been 'desperate' to get into government, but pointed out that his voters were overwhelmingly Brexit-backing.

Resigning this week, he said he was putting his 'loyalty to the country above loyalty to the government'.