British Prime Minister Theresa May threatened rebel lawmakers in her Conservative Party with a general election this summer if they defeated her Brexit plans on customs, The Times newspaper reported.
In one of the most tumultuous periods in recent British political history, there have been four major elections in the past four years: the Scottish independence referendum of 2014, the 2015 UK election, the Brexit referendum of 2016 and the snap election called by May last year.
The Times said that Conservative whips, who enforce discipline in the party, issued the warning to pro-EU lawmakers, led by the former ministers Stephen Hammond and Nicky Morgan, minutes before a crucial vote on Tuesday on customs.
May narrowly avoided a defeat in parliament at the hands of the pro-EU lawmakers from her own party in the vote.
Parliament voted 307 to 301 against an amendment to trade legislation that would have required the government to try to negotiate a customs union arrangement with the EU if, by Jan. 21, 2019, it had failed to negotiate a frictionless free trade deal with the bloc.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
All You Need To Know About New UK Government's Key Policy Plans King Charles III To Set Out UK Government's To-Do List Study Abroad: Top 10 Affordable Universities In The UK BJP Plans UP Overhaul After Lok Sabha Poll Drubbing: Sources "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post In Massive Row Over Karnataka 100% Quota Bill, Chief Minister Deletes Post FMGE 2024: Results Out For Foreign Medical Graduates Examination Mercedes-Benz Wishbox Campaign Launched, Aimed To Reinforce Accessibility All You Need To Know About New UK Government's Key Policy Plans Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.