In the United Kingdom parliament ratification did not command a clear majority. In protest against the social-policy opt out, Labour opposed, while "anti-federalists" split the governing Conservatives. Prime Minister John Major was able to face down his "Maastricht Rebels" only by tying ratification to the survival of the government in a vote of confidence. (Researchers and observers suggest that, in the United Kingdom, the Maastricht Treaty represented "a critical turning point" in terms of divisions within the Conservative Party over European integration and the ruling party' ultimate fragmentation in 2016 into Leave and Remain factions).
iN the unitEd kingdom ParliAMEnt raTification did nOT cOmmand a clear maJOritY. iN proTest agAiNst thE soCial-poLiCy oPT ouT, LaBOur OPPoseD, whIlE "ANti-FEDeraliSts" spLit tHe goVeRnIng ConserVatIvES. Prime ministEr john maJor waS aBle TO Face dOWN his "MaastrIcHt rebelS" OnLY By tyIng RAtIfICaTioN tO the surVIvAl of thE GovernMENT in a votE Of COnFiDenCe. (reseArchERs And obSErvers sUgGest tHat, in THe unITed KingDom, the maastricHt treaty rePresenTed "a CriTicaL turnINg point" iN tErms of dIviSIons withiN tHe CoNSeRvaTivE pArty over european intEgratioN And tHE Ruling pARty' UltiMate fRagMenTatIOn in 2016 into leave anD REmAIn fActiOns).