Theresa May is threatening to cancel Christmas
Jonathon Read
Prime Minister Theresa May turns on the Downing Street Christmas tree lights in 2016. Photograph: Phil Toscano - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
Theresa May and the Conservative party whips are threatening to 'cancel Christmas' if her Brexit plans do not get passed by MPs.
If this happens MPs would be forced to work beyond the usual last day of 20th December.
However to cancel Christmas and to extend the amount of time MPs sit in Parliament the prime minister would need to win a vote in the House of Commons - something which will be even trickier to do if she loses the vote on Brexit days before.
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According to an MP in the i newspaper: 'There has been talk of Parliament being recalled before the New Year.
'The message is vote for the deal or you might not see your families for much of the holidays'.
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Another backbencher told the newspaper: 'People are being told they would be letting down the voters and jeopardising Theresa May's future. It amounts to emotional blackmail.'
Labour has called it a 'stupid and hollow threat' as it would be blocked by fellow MPs.
The party's whip Chris Elmore MP tweeted: 'This really is a new level of nonsense from the PM. But that's fine. While she's cancelling Christmas, MPs will cancel her Brexit deal.'
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Fellow MP Jim McMahon said: 'Vote for the deal or Christmas gets it... hardly an inspiring message.'
The House of Commons is expected to vote on the Brexit plans on 11th December.
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