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THERESA May could be ousted as Prime Minister TODAY after furious Tory MPs threatened to bring her down over her Brexit deal.

Four ministers quit in fury this morning - and more could follow.
 Theresa May could face a leadership vote within days after furious Tory MPs threatened to bring her down over her Brexit deal
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Theresa May could face a leadership vote within days after furious Tory MPs threatened to bring her down over her Brexit dealCredit: Andrew Parsons

How could she get booted from No10?

A no confidence vote from Tory MPs

Today Jacob Rees-Mogg openly threatened the Prime Minister to her face, asking her why he should not write a letter directly to the head of the head of the backbenchers.

He told Mrs May that what she says and what she does "no longer seem to match" - and seemed unimpressed with her defence of the deal.

He could put in his own letter later today, it was rumoured.

The party's backbench chief Graham Brady will have to call a vote of confidence in Mrs May if 48 backbenchers request one.

Senior Brexiteers from the European Research Group warned on Wednesday night that the threshold for calling a vote of confidence could be passed as soon as today.

They insisted there is no co-ordinated plot to unseat the PM - but claimed MPs are so angry that 48 letters could end up going in anyway.

Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "The ERG is not trying to force the pace on this but there is the risk of an accident, a lot of people feel very let down and without any organisation might be writing letters."

Conor Burns, a close ally of Boris Johnson, told LBC: "There’s a lot of febrile talk. What I can tell you is there’s no orchestrated attempt to put letters in."

 Jacob Rees-Mogg said there was no plan to oust the PM
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Jacob Rees-Mogg said there was no plan to oust the PMCredit: London News Pictures

He continued: "But sensing the levels of frustration and annoyance colleagues are feeling it would not surprise me if organically letters are going in."

The ERG has responded with fury to early reports of Mrs May's Brexit deal.

They claim it will leave the UK tied to the EU permanently thanks to the controversial "Irish backstop" meant to keep the border open.

If Sir Graham, chair of the 1922 Committee, receives 48 letters asking for a confidence vote, he must hold one within days.

Mrs May will be kicked out of power if she fails to win the backing of 158 of the Tories' 316 MPs.

But if she survives, the party can't hold another vote of confidence for at least a year.

 Dominic Raab today resigned as Brexit Secretary over the PM's deal
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Dominic Raab today resigned as Brexit Secretary over the PM's dealCredit: Rex Features
Dominic Raab quizzed on future of Theresa May and if he wants to be PM in first interview since quitting as Brexit Secretary

No confidence vote in Parliament

Another way Mrs May could be forced out is through a motion of no confidence in the entire government.

A ’no confidence’ vote is a formal motion in the House of Commons with the wording: “That this house has no confidence in HM Government.”

If there is a vote of no confidence, there will be a two-week ‘cooling off’ period in which time Mrs May will still remain in Downing Street.

She will then try and talks to form a new government, but if no government can be formed, the prime minister will be forced to call a date for a general election.

 Dominic Raab's resignation letter which he sent to Theresa May today
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Dominic Raab's resignation letter which he sent to Theresa May todayCredit: Twitter/Dominic Raab

Could she quit?

Of course Mrs May could decide at any time she simply doesn't want to be Prime Minister any more.

That will automatically trigger a leadership contest, where Tories will bid to become the next leader and PM.

MPs will whittle down the challengers to just 2 - and those will then be handed over to the Tory membership who will vote and become the next PM.

If all of them drop out - like in the summer of 2016 where Mrs May became PM - whoever is left will become leader of the country automatically.

They will then go to the Queen and ask permission to form a new government.

 Shailesh Vara has resigned as Northern Ireland Minister
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Shailesh Vara has resigned as Northern Ireland MinisterCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

A general election

Mrs May could also be forced out by way of a General election.

If two thirds of MPs voted in the House of Commons for a fresh vote, then Parliament would be dissolved and the public would be asked to go to the ballot box yet again.

In the event that Labour won more seats than the Tories, Mrs May would automatically be booted from No10.

If the Tories won the most seats then it's likely she would try and form another government - whether on her own or in coalition with another party.

Another referendum?

Anything is possible in politics right now - even another referendum.

If Mrs May decided to call a vote on her deal or No Deal at all, voters could be asked which they would prefer in another Brexit vote.

In the event that the Government lost that, Mrs May would almost certainly have to leave office, as David Cameron did in 2016.

Theresa May statement - PM says cabinet backed Brexit deal draft text and it delivers on the referendum

Today Mrs May's job hangs by a thread after four ministers including Dominic Raab quit in protest at her deal.

She told MPs in the Commons today that her deal was the best on offer, and she believed it was the best thing for the country.

But furious MPs are still sending in letters of no confidence in her - and she could be toppled within hours.


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