Page "John Major" Paragraph 48

Major's mild-mannered style and moderate political stance made him theoretically well-placed to act as a conciliatory leader of his party.

However, conflict raged within the Conservative Party, particularly over the extent of Britain's integration with the European Union.

Major never succeeded in reconciling the " Euro-rebels " among his MPs to his European policy, who although relatively few in number-in spite of the fact that their views were much more widely supported amongst Conservative activists and voters-wielded great influence because of his small majority, and episodes such as the Maastricht Rebellion inflicted serious political damage on him and his government.

During the 1990s, the bitterness on the right wing of the Conservative Party at the manner in which Margaret Thatcher had been removed from office did not make Major's task any easier.

A series of scandals among leading Tory MP's also did Major and his government no favours.

His task became even more difficult after the well-received election of Tony Blair as Labour leader in July 1994.