Tory Party in Crisis as John Major Threatens Election Over European Union Bill

The Conservative Party in the United Kingdom is on the brink of a full-blown crisis as British Prime Minister John Major has threatened to call an early election unless his party backs him on a controversial European Union (EU) bill. The move has sparked a heated debate within the party, with many Tory Euro-sceptics planning to challenge Major's leadership. They claim to have 24 MP's already on side and are predicting a potential leadership spill could take place as early as next week.

Key Takeaways:

• The European Community Finance Bill is set to be voted on Monday, with Prime Minister John Major threatening to resign and call an election if it is not passed.
• Tory Euro-sceptics, including employment secretary Michael Portillo and social security secretary Peter Lilley, are planning to challenge Major's leadership over the bill.
• The crisis has heightened tensions within the party, with Welsh secretary John Redwood stating that Major's tactics would cause grave discontent.
• The admission by Chancellor Kenneth Clarke that Britain's net contribution to Brussels will rise by more than $2 billion has sparked anger among Euro-sceptics.
• Tory vice-chairman Patrick Nicholls has been forced to resign over a vitriolic article attacking Europe, which argued that the UK should leave the EU and described France as a "nation of collaborators."

Statistics:

• 24 Tory MP's are planning to challenge John Major's leadership.
• Britain's net contribution to Brussels will rise by more than $2 billion by the end of the decade.
• The European Community Finance Bill will be voted on Monday.
• 10 Tory MP's are needed for a leadership challenge to succeed.

Sources:

• The Times, "Major threatens election over EU bill"
• BBC News, "Tory vice-chairman quits over 'collaborator' row"
• The Guardian, "Tobin clash: 'Dr. Beast' versus Foster's AIDS spinärches"