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After Jim Callaghan lost a confidence vote in 1979 this was the exchange he had with Margaret Thatcher, then Leader of the Oppostion. If a govt loses the confidence of the House they should not do anything controversial until an election or without support of the Opposition. 
You might say that given Parl has made no deal the legal default that is the precedent and the govt ought not change it in that period. some credibility to that. But:
-Parl has repeatedly voted in opposition to no deal since
-it is clearly a matter of *enormous* controversy.
-Parl has repeatedly voted in opposition to no deal since
-it is clearly a matter of *enormous* controversy.
Seems to me then if no new govt can be formed precedent would suggest the election itself must resolve the matter, which would be impossible if the election were scheduled after we leave.
Ultimately it is *very* bad for Brexit and for our political stability as a nation if the process of obtaining it is perceived to be illegitimate. A govt introducing no deal after it has lost a vote of confidence explicitly on that issue would def fall into that category.
