Why May is now facing a new vote

THERESA May just won a confidence motion, how can she be facing another one?

The prime minister fended off a heave from some within the Conservative Party last week.

But now the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wants to see if the UK parliament has confidence in her. He has claimed that Mrs May has “obdurately refused” to allow a vote on the Brexit deal on the agreed day.

But the prime minister has committed to having a vote in the new year?

Mrs May has indicated that a vote on the Withdrawal Agreement will take place in the week starting January 14.

However, Mr Corbyn says that this date is too far away.

How significant is the vote?

Mr Corbyn has targeted the prime minister rather than the Government, meaning that it is a largely symbolic move of censure. Defeat would certainly increase the pressure on Mrs May.

But unlike a no-confidence motion in the government, a vote on Mrs May as an individual has no power to topple her government and force a general election.

When will it take place?

Unlike a full motion of confidence, there is no obligation on the government to set aside time for the issue to be debated. Instead, Labour must wait until it is allocated the time for an opposition debate, which may not be until the new year.

Is Mrs May likely to win?

That could depend on the DUP.

While many MPs in her own party voted against her in the secret ballot last week, they may publicly back Mrs May rather than hand Jeremy Corbyn a victory.