Fifty Tory MPs are demanding that the Government brings in tougher strikes laws to ensure the “widespread misery” seen on Southern Rail can never be repeated.

Writing to the Telegraph, the politicians claim that unions are using the “flimsy pretext” of safety concerns to cause “wide-scale disruption”.

They want new legislation that bans strikes on “critical public infrastructure” such as train and bus services unless the action is proved “reasonable and proportionate” by a judge.

The MPs also want unions representing such industries to be legally bound to keep up a “skeleton” service with half of normal journeys still running during strikes.