The House of Commons on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal with the European Union, raising more questions about the nature of Britain's future relationship with the economic bloc.

In one of the heaviest defeats for a government in modern British history, 432 members voted against the Withdrawal Agreement brokered between the European Union and May with the government only managing to get 202 votes in favor.

May said she will hold cross-party meetings to explore new ideas and go back to the European Union with any fresh proposals.

(Theresa May)[Getty/Kyodo]

The opposition Labour Party tabled a motion of no-confidence in May's government Wednesday which she is likely to win.

The prime minister said the government "will listen" to what the House of Commons wants, but she reaffirmed her intention to deliver on the instruction of the British people who voted 52-48 percent in favor of leaving the European Union, currently with 28 members, in a referendum in 2016.

She called on all members of the House of Commons to work with the government and "listen to the people, who want this issue settled."

Earlier in the debate, May said voting against the deal would lead to "uncertainty" and "division" and that there were no alternatives.

The prime minister has warned that defeating the deal risks either Britain leaving without a deal or Brexit not happening at all.

The divorce deal was deeply unpopular with members from both the ruling Conservative and opposition parties for a variety of reasons.

Those supporting Brexit felt the deal -- which aims to create a free trade area in goods combining deep regulatory and customs cooperation -- gave too much power to the European Union and keeps Britain too closely aligned to the bloc's regulations. It also prevents Britain entering into free trade deals, they claim.

They were also unhappy about the possibility of Britain being legally bound into a customs union with the European Union if no solution could be found to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. This was despite Brussels assuring London that any such "backstop" would be temporary and probably unnecessary.

The opposition Labour Party wants a closer economic relationship, similar to the current customs union and single market, between Britain and the European Union. Other parties want Britain to remain in the European Union and are calling for a second referendum.

Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union at the end of March although many analysts now expect Britain will seek a delay due to the parliamentary deadlock.

Alternatively, Britain could potentially leave the bloc without a deal, a move which is opposed by a majority in Parliament. Critics of a "no deal" believe it would create trade frictions and lead to economic damage.

On a visit to Britain last week, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he hoped Britain would avoid a "no deal" and he gave his backing to May's agreement with the European Union.

Japan has been keenly watching the Brexit process due to its significant investments in Britain and the potential disruption to supply chains after Brexit.

Japanese businesses have given a guarded welcome to the deal, with worries that it does not guarantee the current level of trade arrangement.

Under May's deal, Britain and the European Union will enter into a standstill transition period after leaving until the end of 2020, by which time it is hoped a new economic partnership will be agreed and implemented.

If not, Britain will have to extend the transition phase or enter into a customs union with the European Union in order to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland until a solution can be found.