Euroscepticism and the Maastricht Rebellion Bill Cash

cash known strong eurosceptic: described kenneth clarke eurosceptic member of parliament. in book robert blake – acclaimed historian of conservative party – titled conservative party: peel major , cash described leader of eurosceptics during maastricht rebellion , being indefatigable... constitutional lawyer of great expertise .

the maastricht rebellion took place in 1990s, , reached height in 1993. british members of parliament (mps) belonging governing conservative party refused support government of john major in votes in house of commons on issue of implementation of maastricht treaty (treaty on european union) in british law. rebellion major event of john major s troubled second term prime minister (1992–1997). major s party had small majority, giving relatively small number of rebels great influence: example, there 22 rebels on second reading of european communities (amendment) bill in may 1992, , government s majority @ time 18. rebellion (as major later complained in memoirs) had support of former prime minister margaret thatcher , lord tebbit. thatcher declared in speech in house of lords never have signed treaty , recipe national suicide .

in 1993 founded , remains chairman of eurosceptic european foundation created during maastricht rebellion, funding organised. during 1994–1995 cash member of tindemans group. secretary of european reform forum, , has been vice-president of conservative small business bureau.

after became leader, fellow maastricht rebel iain duncan smith gave cash post of shadow attorney general in 2001, , in 2003 shadow secretary of state constitutional affairs, returned backbenches later year after duncan smith ousted party leader.