Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506260034
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LONDON LENGTH: Medium
``I am no longer prepared to tolerate the present situation,'' declared Major, who must resign as prime minister if he loses the July 4 vote. ``In short, it is time to put up or shut up.''
The sudden announcement by the 52-year-old leader followed increasing opposition and insults from right-wingers within the party who are opposed to Britain's closer integration with the 15-nation European Union.
Tensions have worsened recently - so much so that Conservatives have hit record lows in popularity after 16 years in power and are widely expected to lose national elections that must be held by the spring of 1997.
Despite its own splits, Major's 22-member Cabinet rallied behind him, removing the immediate threat of a heavyweight challenger. A strong candidate could emerge, however, if there is a second-round ballot.
But critics noted that even a victory for Major will not remove the Conservatives' deep divisions over European unity or the prime minister's vulnerability to party revolts, because of his tiny majority in Parliament.
``It is a bold move, and it will clear the air,'' commented Margaret Thatcher, Major's predecessor, whose criticisms have added to his political torment.
Under party rules, Major must get at least 50 percent of the votes of the 329 Conservative Party members of the House of Commons, and be 15 percent ahead of his nearest rival to win the first ballot outright.
If he fails, new candidates can run in a second ballot a week later.
Thatcher resigned in November 1990 after failing to get sufficient votes in a first-round challenge from Michael Heseltine, now Major's trade secretary.
Major refused to say whether he will withdraw if he is short of outright victory July 4.
Teresa Gorman, one of eight right-wing legislators whom Major temporarily suspended from the Conservative caucus in the Commons for voting against the government, said getting rid of Major could be the last chance of saving British sovereignty.
``The power of our country is slipping away to Brussels,'' Gorman said in a television interview, referring to EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Possible challengers include Gorman or an ally, or Norman Lamont, fired by Major as treasury chief in 1993.
Tony Blair, leader of the opposition Labor Party, said Major ``has now accepted that the Conservative Party is unfit to govern.''
In his statement, Major said since 1992 there had been annual threats of a leadership challenge, and it was happening again.
``I am not prepared to see the party I care for laid out on the rack like this any longer,'' he said, before walking away in the Rose Garden without taking questions.
In Washington, President Clinton said of Major, ``I wish him well. ... He has maintained a strong relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, and he has shown real courage in pursuing peace in Northern Ireland.''
by CNB