1993 vote of confidence in the Major ministry

Due to previous defeats caused when Eurosceptic Conservative MPs voted with the opposition, the Government had to obtain support for its policy on the Social Chapter before the European Communities Amendment Act 1993 could come into effect and allow the United Kingdom to ratify the treaty.

74, proposed by the Labour front bench, which required an explicit vote by both Houses of Parliament on a Government motion "considering the question of adopting the Protocol on Social Policy" before the Act could be implemented.

[3] The motion debated on 22 July declared: That this House, in compliance with the requirements of section 7 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993, notes the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the adoption of the Protocol on Social Policy.The Labour front bench moved an amendment to change the motion to: That, in the opinion of this House, Her Majesty's Government should not deposit the Articles of Ratification of the Treaty of European Union with the government of the Italian Republic until such time as it has given notification to the European Community that it intends to adopt the agreement attached to protocol on social policy.Following a long and at times acrimonious debate,[4] the Labour amendment was voted on first; and the result was dramatically announced as a tie with 317 MPs voting in favour and 317 MPs voting against.

[6] Immediately that the result was known, John Major announced that the next day (a Friday, which would normally be given over to light Parliamentary business) would now be a debate on a motion of confidence approving the Government's policy on the Social Chapter.

John Major was reckoned by observers not to have been as effective a speaker on Friday as he had been on Thursday, telling the House that "this country cannot afford to let this stalemate on European policy continue.

The Leader of the Opposition John Smith was said to be "on top form", making several jokes at the expense of Major, whom he likened to a cricketer being forced to follow-on after being clean bowled.