Theresa May meets opposition leaders to find way forward as Corbyn threatens further votes of no confidence

So, where do the main parties stand when it comes to Brexit? 

The Government: Theresa May says she wants a deal that gives the UK control of its money, its laws and its borders, protects the Union and enables it to pursue an independent trade policy - effectively ruling out a customs union. Has repeatedly rejected calls for a second referendum, an extension to the Article 50 withdrawal process or to rule out no-deal.

Labour Party: Labour wants a deal based on a new customs union with the EU, a close relationship with the single market and protection of workers' rights and the environment. Jeremy Corbyn says he will not meet Mrs May unless she takes no-deal off the table. Party policy allows for a second referendum but Mr Corbyn has been reluctant to call for one, despite strong support from MPs and activists.

SNP: Opposes Brexit. Says the options of ruling out no-deal, extending Article 50 and staging a second referendum must all be on the table if there is to be any further negotiation.

DUP: Strongly pro-Brexit. The party, which props up the Government in the Commons, says the Northern Ireland backstop must go if it is to support any agreement.

Liberal Democrats: Oppose Brexit. Their key demands are a second referendum and taking no-deal off the table. Party leader Sir Vince Cable has said he is prepared to carry on talking.

Of course that are several factions within parties. The European Research Group with the Tory party are led by Jacob Rees-Mogg.

They favour a looser Canada-style free trade agreement but many members woule be content to see a no-deal Brexit if that proves impossible. Strongly opposed to any extension of Article 50 and insists the backstop must go.

The historic Union of the United Kingdom faces a "rough ride" in a post-Brexit world, a former top diplomat has warned.

Lord Hannay of Chiswick, who served as UK ambassador to both the EU and UN, argued that ignoring Remain votes in Scotland and Northern Ireland was the sort of "majoritarian supremacy" that fuelled calls for independence north of the border and a united Ireland.

The independent crossbencher, who is a vocal critical of Brexit, claimed continued membership of the Brussels club was much more likely "to consolidate the unity" of the UK than quitting the bloc.

Lord Hannay was speaking during a debate in the House of Lords and said:

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, clear majorities were in favour of remaining in the EU.

The democratic legitimacy of those votes is indisputable, but you don't often hear that recognised by supporters of Brexit and you never hear it recognised by the DUP.

Overriding that legitimacy with the Leave votes in England and Wales is precisely the sort of majoritarian supremacy which fuels calls for Scottish independence and of the union of the two parts of Ireland."

DUP leader Arlene Foster has said the issue of the Irish backstop needs to be dealt with "in a very clear way" if Brexit negotiations are to make progress.

Speaking outside Downing Street after meeting Mrs May, she said: "Our problem with the backstop is of course that it separates Northern Ireland out from the rest of the UK in terms of market regulation and in terms of the customs union."

Her deputy Nigel Dodds said: "[The Prime Minister] has a way through this and the problem for a lot of her own backbenchers and of course for us has been the backstop and if she can address that issue in a satisfactory way and if the EU realise this is the issue holding up the withdrawal agreement then we can make progress."

Speaking after meeting Theresa May, Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said:

We focused on what we believe is the surest way of breaking the Parliamentary gridlock, which is to go for a people's vote.

We had a fairly lengthy discussion about that and we set out some of the criteria which could be adopted.

We are available to continue those discussions."

Taking no deal off the table is essential in the short term we believe, but also we have to end no progress, so it's good to talk."

John Bercow is embroiled in a fresh Commons clash with ministers after he accused the Government of blocking proposals to allow MPs on baby leave to vote by proxy.

The Speaker said there had been a "lamentable failure of leadership" to introduce changes to allow a colleague to register a vote on behalf of an MP absent on maternity or paternity leave.

His remarks came after Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom said pregnant Labour MP Tulip Siddiq came to the Commons to vote on the Brexit deal despite pairing arrangements being offered, which means someone from the other side would not have voted to prevent an unfair advantage.

Nicola Sturgeon has promised to reveal her plans for a second Scottish independence referendum in a "matter of weeks", regardless of what happens with the Brexit deal.

The first minister met with Theresa May following the historic Commons defeat of the Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement, and afterwards she said she would soon announce the timing of a second independence vote.

Speaking at First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon reiterated her pledge and said:

I think the Prime Minister is very well aware of my views on independence, I support independence and I think the sooner Scotland is independent the better for all of us.

I think it is essential, given the catastrophe that Scotland faces - to our economy, to our society, to living standards, to prospects for the next generation, to our reputation in the world - that the option of independence must be open to people in Scotland.

When people in Scotland have the ability to choose independence, I believe that the country will opt to be an independent country.

Preparations for a no-deal Brexit are underway across the continent.

France is spending 50 million euros (£44 million) to beef up security at airports and the Eurotunnel, hiring hundreds of extra customs officers and issuing emergency decrees to gear up for the possibility that Britain will leave the EU on March 29 without a plan.

Germany fast-tracked a debate on solving bureaucratic problems in case of a no-deal Brexit.

The Netherlands has made a special exception to let British citizens stay in the country temporarily once they no longer enjoy EU residency rights.