7 фев 1992 г. - The Maastricht Treaty

Описание:

The Maastricht Treaty was the foundation of the EEC becoming the European Union. It would expand the EEC

Many Eurosceptics in the Tory party opposed the treaty despite the treaty having some exceptions for UK involvement negotiated by Major-partly made to avoid divisions.

These exceptions were that Britain would not have to join the single Euro currency that would be created in 1999 and the Social Chapter that initiated maximum working hours and other workers rights that went against the Conservative's deregulation.

This opposition caused for a referendum.

The referendum passed but with 43 Tory rebels. MPs rarely opposed their government, showing the depth of the Conservative divisions.

The process for passing the signing of the treaty through the House of Lords and the House of Commons took a particularly long time- long enough for voters to notice.

Britain agreed to sign the treaty, however divisions within the party were clear to voters now, making the party look weak.

Problems with Europe followed after the signing of the treaty, such as with the single currency.