Tory MPs threaten to go on strike as they’re banned from starting Christmas early over fears Labour will launch dirty-tricks campaign
Government chiefs fear Jeremy Corbyn will launch an effort to oust Theresa May in the run-up to Christmas
TORY rebels have threatened to go on STRIKE next week as party bosses order them to cut short their Christmas plans.
Government whips have told all MPs they must stay in Westminster next week instead of taking an early holiday, to counter any Labour dirty tricks.
But some Brexiteers are considering skipping key votes in a show of strength to prove they can still bring down Theresa May.
Labour could table a formal vote of no-confidence in the Government next week - an option pushed by Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer.
If the Tories lost a confidence motion Mrs May would have to resign and Jeremy Corbyn would get two weeks to try and form his own Government - with a General Election triggered if he failed.
Chief Whip Julian Smith wrote to all Tory MPs last night telling them they'll be disciplined if they don't turn up to Parliament next week.
With no major votes currently on the schedule, it's understood some backbenchers were considering starting the Christmas break now.
The Commons is formally sitting until Thursday December 20, and coming back on January 7.
Mr Smith warned: "We must be alive to Opposition tactics in the run-up to recess."
Mrs May would almost certainly win a no-confidence vote in the Commons, because rebel Tories and the DUP don't want to risk bringing Mr Corbyn to power.
But Brexiteers - who launched a failed coup against the PM this week - could stage a strike which falls short of kicking her out in the next week.
They have discussed abstaining on what should be routine votes such as those to approve "secondary legislation".
The strike would have no practical effect - but it would prove to the PM that if they choose, the rebels have the numbers to bring down the Government by teaming up with Labour, the SNP and Lib Dems.
117 Tory MPs voted against Mrs May in the party's internal vote of confidence on Wednesday night.
That wasn't enough to topple her - but she is still weakened with little hope of forcing through her Brexit deal.
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