Many both within and outside the party believed that the constant speculation was highly damaging and so Major took the dramatic step to force an early contest.

[2] If neither of these were achieved, then a second ballot would take place in the following week, nominations would be reopened, and at this stage an absolute majority only would be required to win.

The main interest occurred when Michael Heseltine publicly and strongly endorsed Major, which many commentators felt reinforced his position.

At a personal level his nickname of "the Vulcan" reached prominence and much lampooning in the media, whilst his formal launch of his campaign was dismissed as a collection of all the mavericks on the right of the party, widely undermining his bid's credibility.

After leaving office, he revealed that he had set a private minimum target of 215 votes, which he had exceeded by only three, and stated that he had made up his mind to resign outright if he had failed to meet this threshold.

Michael Heseltine had given Major staunch support in the contest, and as a result was promoted to the position of deputy prime minister.

Redwood emerged as a clear alternative leader of the right of the party whilst many argued Portillo had lacked the nerve to make a first round challenge and potentially allowed Major to survive.

When Major resigned as leader after losing the 1997 general election, Hague was thus in a position to stand for, and win, the leadership.