Conservative remainer MPs have a "role to play" in building a coalition to drive a soft Brexit through the Commons, Nicola Sturgeon has said as opposition parties seek to find common ground with unhappy Tory backbenchers.
In comments which gave the first indication of a Labour-SNP alliance, the Scottish National party leader suggested opposition parties would look at the Norway model, proposed by senior Tory backbenchers including former ministers Nick Boles, Nicky Morgan and George Freeman.
The Scottish first minister stressed that there was some way to go until they collectively decided which option to agree on, with a second referendum and membership of the customs union and single market all still "on the table".
The Guardian understands that SNP MPs, along with Labour and the Liberal Democrats, have been talking to their Tory remainer counterparts with the aim of voting down Theresa May's plan and reaching agreement around an alternative.
"In terms of the softer remain element of the Conservatives, I think they have a role to play in putting that majority together," Sturgeon told reporters after meeting Jeremy Corbyn and Vince Cable in the wake of last week's Brexit chaos. She also met the prime minister.
Key Tory remainers, thought to be backed by the cabinet Brexiter Michael Gove, favour a Norway-style arrangement – temporary membership of the European Free Trade Association or the European Economic Area – until a trade relationship is agreed.
Boles, who is the main proponent, has now suggested this could become permanent if the EFTA/EEA relationship evolved to address concerns about free movement and rule-taking.
However, she cautioned against over-optimism. "Let's take this step by step. There's no doubt this is the job we've got to do – saying that you're against the prime minister's deal and that we all think that no deal is not an option are important statements, but they only take you so far.