…. they surely lack confidence in her and her government.
They do. What's more, her government lacks confidence in itself. However, the last thing any faction of a deeply divided Tory party wants at the moment is a general election or a party leadership election: so if Corbyn were to force a confidence voted it would (again) get voted down.
At least that's how it looks tonight - but in this truly weird situation, anything might happen. May could even choose to leave the sinking ship rather than go down with it, but that's unlikely: in all things she's the Middle England vicar's daughter - you jolly well have to grit your teeth and see through whatever dirty job you're given.
Thanks. I was hoping you would read my post.
Operating informally based upon understandings can only go so far. If the government lacks the confidence of the Commons, and that fact is widely known, how can the actions of that government be seen as legitimate?