May 'might have to quit in March' to save the government as Cabinet splits over Brexit 'Plan B' deepen 

• Claim Theresa May could quit in March to ease her deal through Parliament
• Theory is it would allow Brexiteers control over future trade deal talks with EU 
• Comes amid a split in Cabinet over what to do when MPs defeat the Brexit deal  

Theresa May could quit as PM as soon as March in a desperate bid to save her Brexit deal it was claimed today amid Cabinet splits over the way ahead.

The Prime Minister survived a confidence vote on Wednesday by promising her party she would go before the next election.

She has refused to spell out any details but some ministers say the only way to get her Brexit deal agreed by Parliament is to leave in March.

It would allow rebels to install a new PM to oversee trade talks and the final settlement with the EU. 

The claim comes amid reports the Cabinet is split over whether Mrs May should offer Parliament a series of votes on the next steps if her deal is defeated or switch to a managed no deal. 

One loyal senior minister told The Sun going straight after Brexit in March might be the only way to save the deal. Trade talks are due to begin straight after exit day.

They said: 'We are going to say to Theresa, ''you've done your best, but the only way to get this thing over the line is for you to go next year''.

'Things have got very personal between her and the DUP which aren't ever going to be fixed.

'It's a compromise the Brexiteers will buy if they think it gives them Canada Plus, and it will be hard for her but Theresa will agree to it if it's all that's left.'

Downing Street insisted today it would put Mrs May's deal to MPs early in the New Year and definitely before a deadline of January 21.

The Cabinet is split over what to do after the expected heavy defeat.

One camp - including May ally Amber Rudd plus David Lidington, David Gauke, Karen Bradley, Greg Clark, David Mundell and Damian Hinds back a series of 'indicative' votes by MPs.

The idea is to offer a wide range of possibilities to see where the majority lies in Parliament - with a view to pushing for a new referendum if there is no consensus.  

One Cabinet source told the Telegraph: 'She is not going to get the numbers.

'More and more options are being taken off the table. We are getting closer to a second referendum.' 

In the other camp are Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, and Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, who are prepared to back a 'managed' no-deal.

This would see Government switch its efforts away from trying to get a broad deal and instead work on easing the worst impacts of no deal before moving straight to trade talks next year.

It would mean separate deals on citizens rights, aviation and the ports being struck within weeks to avoid chaos after exit day on March 29.