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Major, John

Tory Leadership Crisis Deepens as Lamont and Redwood Signal Challenges to Major

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A double blow to his leadership is facing John Major after Norman Lamont, the former Chancellor, announced that he will stand against him, while John Redwood triggered the first breach in Cabinet unity by failing to openly support the Prime Minister. In a surprise move, Lamont has stated that he is campaigning not to be Prime Minister, but to open the way for a wider contest in which a Euro-sceptic Cabinet minister, such as Michael Portillo, could go for the crown. Meanwhile, Douglas Hurd has announced his resignation as Foreign Secretary, leaving both Major and Hurd in a state of limbo ahead of the European summit in Cannes next week.

Key Takeaways:

  • Norman Lamont, former Chancellor, will stand against John Major in the Conservative leadership contest, not to become Prime Minister, but to create an opportunity for a Euro-sceptic minister like Michael Portillo to take the crown.
  • John Redwood's failure to publicly support Major may cost him his Cabinet job if the Prime Minister wins the election.
  • Douglas Hurd's resignation as Foreign Secretary has left Major and Hurd in a state of limbo ahead of the European summit in Cannes next week.
  • A total of 229 Tory MPs were surveyed by ITN, with 156 supporting Major, five against, and 68 declining to say what they would do.
  • Aides close to Redwood confirmed that he has been a supporter of Major, but is unlikely to stand for the leadership himself.
  • Redwood's supporters believe that Major's tactics in bringing forward a contest will not work and that the only beneficiary will be Michael Heseltine.
  • Tony Newton, Leader of the House, rejected suggestions that Redwood was being disloyal, citing a clear-cut statement of support for Major.

Statistics:

  • 156 out of 229 Tory MP's support John Major, according to an ITN survey.
  • Five Tory MPs would vote against John Major in the leadership contest.
  • 68 Tory MPs declined to say what they would do in the leadership contest.
  • 100 abstentions would be seen as dangerous for John Major.
  • Norman Lamont will stand against John Major in the Conservative leadership contest.
  • Douglas Hurd has resigned as Foreign Secretary to avoid being "tangled up" in the leadership challenge.
  • Michael Portillo may have the backing of up to a third of the parliamentary party according to some in his camp.

Sources:

  • The Times, Copyright (C) 1995
  • Norman Lamont's statement
  • John Redwood's comments
  • ITN survey of 229 Tory MPs
  • Tony Newton's statement
  • Douglas Hurd's news conference
  • John Major's statement

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