Conservative Party grandees expect Theresa May to give a date for her resignation when she addresses members of the powerful 1922 committee in Westminster at 5pm tomorrow. But there is no mechanism for the Tories to oust their leader before December 12 because her triumph in a no confidence vote by 200 votes to 117 on the same date last year gave her a year’s immunity from another challenge.

History suggests it is unwise for any Parliament to distance itself from the people

John Barton

This could pave the way for a Labour power-grab if Mr Corbyn tries to pass another motion of no confidence in Mrs May’s government.

Such a motion would only have a realistic chance of getting through if either the DUP or disaffected Tory rebels decided leaving Mrs May in office was worse than risking a general election or even a Corbyn government.

Under the 2011 Fixed-term Parliaments Act, a vote of no confidence does not trigger an automatic snap election.

Instead, it begins a two week period of negotiation to see if a new Government can be formed with the confidence of MPs.

This process remains untested and it not clear if the Queen would invite Mr Corbyn or another Conservative – possibly Mrs May’s de facto deputy David Lidington – to try to form a new administration.

If Mrs May might resigns with immediate effect at tomorrow’s 1922 meeting, Mr Lidington would be expected to enter Downing Street during the ensuing leadership election.

The beleaguered Prime Minister’s weakening grip on power was dealt a fresh blow last night when three ministers quit to back a Commons amendment giving MPs control of Commons business to stage a series of “indicative votes” on alternatives to her deal.

The three ministers who quit were among 30 Conservative MPs to defy the whips and support the cross-party amendment which was passed by 329 to 302 – a majority of 27 – in another humiliating reverse for Mrs May.

The defeat heaps further pressure on Mrs May’s position and could increase the chances of an early general election if MPs back plans for a softer Brexit which would be unacceptable to the Prime Minister or Tory Eurosceptics.

Eurosceptic Tory MP John Baron said a snap election is “becoming more likely”.

The Basildon and Billericay MP said: “Whatever the outcome of the votes on Wednesday, the numbers inside the current remain-dominated House of Commons will not change.

“It may be that an election is necessary to redress the balance in favour of MPs willing to implement the referendum result, for history suggests it is unwise for any Parliament to distance itself from the people.”

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