Right-Wing Minister John Redwood Challenges Prime Minister John Major for Conservative Party Leadership

John Redwood, a right-wing government minister, has resigned from the British Cabinet to challenge Prime Minister John Major for the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party. Redwood's decision comes after Major announced his plan to resign as party leader and hold new leadership elections, a move seen as a bold bid to silence his critics and unify the party behind him. However, Redwood's departure from the Cabinet has underscored the risky nature of the gamble taken by Major, as it could potentially lead to Major's downfall as prime minister.

Key Takeaways:

• John Redwood, a right-wing government minister, has resigned from the British Cabinet to challenge Prime Minister John Major for the leadership of the Conservative Party.
• Major's decision to resign as party leader and hold new leadership elections has been met with skepticism from some Tory members, who view it as a bid to restore his own authority and silence his critics.
• Redwood's challenge to Major has been backed by key Euroskeptics, including Teresa Gorman, Bill Walker, and Tony Marlow, who oppose closer ties to the European Union.
• Norman Lamont, a former Treasury chief, has also pledged his support for Redwood, citing the need for a leader who shares the same anti-European views as the British people.
• Michael Heseltine, a potential challenger to Major, has attacked Redwood for his decision to enter the contest, claiming that Major "deserved a great deal better."
• Chancellor Kenneth Clarke has warned that Redwood's hardline policies would make the Tories unelectable, stating that the party would not win an election in "a thousand years" under such a program.
• Redwood has dismissed talk of being a "stalking horse" candidate, emphasizing that he and his team are entering the contest to win.
• The outcome of the Conservative Party leadership election by July 11 could see a new prime minister being appointed without a general election.

Statistics:

• 15%: The percentage lead a candidate must have in the first round of the Conservative Party ballot to avoid a second round.
• July 11: The potential date by which a new prime minister could be appointed without a general election.
• 50%: The percentage of the vote a candidate must achieve in the first round of the Conservative Party ballot to clear the field.

Sources:

• Britain Broadcasting Corp. (BBC)
• Newhouse News Service
• Reuters