POOR John Major. Just as he has watched one crisis go by, another one lurches into view.

Having survived the gun vote, he now faces a major backbench revolt from both sides of the European divide on the single currency issue.

This time he stands accused of stifling the debate on the issue, incurring the wrath of the powerful backbench 1922 Committee - the so-called "men in grey suits".

And we all know what happened to Mrs Thatcher when she pushed them too far.

There is talk at Westminster of a Government losing touch with its backbenchers and the possibility of widespread rebellion and even a confidence vote.

Smirking Labour leader Tony Blair not surprisingly used the row to expose the split between the Eurosceptics and pro-European Chancellor Kenneth Clarke, conveniently deflecting attention from the splits in his own party on the single currency issue.

Once again this whole affair smacks of a Government desperately trying to hang on to power.

Mr Major wants to take maximum advantage of the economic recovery before going to the polls.

The Prime Minister is astute and has survived many crises in the past. But by failing to allow a full debate on the most important question facing the nation, he once more gives the impression of a man hanging on by the skin of his teeth.

Clearly, the election cannot come soon enough.

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