British Prime Minister Faces Toughest Week Amid Potential Leadership Challenges

British Prime Minister John Major faces a tumultuous few days as Conservative Party rebels threaten to vote against him on European Union funding and a party revolt is brewing over Budget plans to increase tax on heating fuel. While the anti-EU revolt appears to be crumbling, several Conservative MPs have vowed to vote against the funding increase, and one has openly called for a leadership contest. The Prime Minister's slim 14-seat majority in Parliament adds to the anxiety, and he has threatened a general election if rebels defeat his government.

Key Takeaways:

• Conservative rebels are threatening to vote against Mr. Major in a key vote on European Union funding, which could trigger a challenge against his leadership.
• Several Conservative MPs, including Teresa Gorman and John Carlisle, have vowed to vote against the funding increase and have called for a leadership contest.
• The Prime Minister's slim 14-seat majority in Parliament adds to the anxiety, and he has threatened a general election if rebels defeat his government.
• The Conservative Party chairman, Jeremy Hanley, has warned rebels that they face being effectively shut out of the party in Parliament if they wreck the bill.
• Under party rules, rebels have until Wednesday to collect 34 signatures to challenge Mr. Major's leadership.
• Labor Party hopes to woo disaffected Conservatives into supporting an amendment overturning the increase in value-added tax on fuel.

Statistics:

• 34: The number of Conservative MP signatures needed to trigger a challenge against Mr. Major's leadership.
• 14: The Prime Minister's slim majority in Parliament.
• 8%: The current value-added tax on fuel.
• 17.5%: The planned increase in value-added tax on fuel next April.
• 30: The points by which the Opposition Labor Party leads the Conservative Party in the polls.

Sources:

• Reuters, London, Monday (MC)
• BBC television (MC)
• Reuter (MC)