Tories accuse Jeremy Corbyn of ‘cancelling Christmas’ after he rules out issuing a festive message

Just how 'traditional' the message is remains in dispute

Jeremy Corbyn won't be recording a Christmas message (PA)

Jeremy Corbyn has “cancelled Christmas” because he is refusing to send out a festive message to the nation to mark the day, according to the Conservative Party.

David Cameron plans to issue his own Christmas message tomorrow, following suit with what the Telegraph reported as “recent tradition”.

Speaking to that newspaper, Tory MP Andrew Bridgen denounced the Labour leader’s decision to record a message looking forward to the New Year instead.

“This is the new politics - Corbyn cancels Christmas,” Mr Bridgen complained.

"It is just a hint of what the British people would have to look forward to under a Corbyn-led Government."

Jeremy Corbyn's first Christmas card as Labour leader, which features a photo of a snow-covered bicycle (PA)

While political Christmas cards are a well-established practice – and Mr Corbyn’s this year was no exception for being roundly criticised – the idea of rivalling The Queen in a recorded video message is relatively new.

Ed Miliband did so, in both 2013 and 2014, as did Nick Clegg and the Prime Minister himself last year.

Mr Corbyn’s spokesman played down the significance of the Labour leader’s decision not to do so.

He told The Independent: "Jeremy used his last PMQs to wish Parliament and the country a happy Christmas. He will also be issuing a new year message.

"However, with the Tories continuing to choose austerity and with working people and families being attacked by Tory policies, it won't be a happy new year for millions of people under the Conservatives."