John Major's prime ministership was an eventful one Between 1990 & 1997 he presided over Britain's participations in the Gulf War the start of the Northern Ireland peace process the Maastricht Treaty negotiations & of course Black Wednesday & Britain's exit from the ERM as well as a surprise fourth consecutive election victory for the Conservative Party An Unsuccessful Prime Minister? is the first wide-ranging appraisal of John Major's government in nearly two decades Widely criticised by politicians on the right of the Conservative Party & from the other political parties as well as by journalists Major's government was living on borrowed time towards the end beset by splits over Europe & by allegations of sleaze before being crushed by New Labour in the 1997 general election This book reconsiders the role of John Major as Prime Minister & the policy achievements of his government & argues that although it was not one of the greatest of governments it did have more success than critics would allow