CONSERVATIVE attempts to effectively ban strikes were dealt a blow yesterday when a United Nations agency confirmed that the plans could break international law.

The Tory manifesto, launched by PM David Cameron on Tuesday, includes a pledge to put a 50 per cent turnout threshold on all strike ballots.

Nurses, teachers and firefighters are among workers facing even bigger barriers under the Tory policy, which would require at least 40 per cent of eligible voters to back action in “essential services.”