Boris pushes for new law to curb strikes on the Tube

Boris Johnson is set to urge the next Tory government to introduce tough anti-strike laws in a bid to curb stoppages of the Tube.

The Mayor's office is proposing a ban on any strike which fails to get a required minimum turnout in a ballot of union members.

The move appears to be aimed squarely at the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, which this year staged industrial action after a ballot in which less than a third of members voted.

Senior aides to Mr Johnson would not comment publicly on the plan, but failed to deny that it was being discussed.

A hardline stance on unions would further endear the Mayor to the Conservative Party's rank and file, and may boost his popularity among Londoners weary of Tube strikes that appear to be caused by trivial issues.

Thousands of London Underground workers are to be balloted for strikes in a long-running dispute over pay, threatening travel chaos on the Tube in the run-up to Christmas.