On 28 November 1990, John Major assumed the office of Prime Minister, succeeding Margaret Thatcher following her resignation as leader of the Conservative Party. His ascension to the premiership marked a significant transition for the government after Thatcher had served in the role for over eleven years. Major inherited a political landscape defined by the need to restore party unity and establish a new direction for the country following a period of intense internal upheaval.

The early years of Major's administration were characterised by a series of complex domestic and international challenges. His government had to navigate a difficult economic recession, which placed considerable strain on public finances and tested the administration's fiscal policies. Simultaneously, the party remained deeply divided over the issue of Europe, a subject that would continue to complicate legislative efforts and internal party relations throughout his time in office.

Maintaining the authority of the Conservative Party proved to be a persistent struggle for the new Prime Minister. Having been in power since 1979, the government faced the natural fatigue of a long-standing administration, alongside the difficulty of forging a distinct identity separate from the legacy of his predecessor. Major's tenure was defined by his attempts to balance these competing pressures while steering the nation through a period of significant social and economic change in Contemporary Britain.

• John Major succeeded Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister on 28 November 1990.
• The administration faced the immediate impact of an economic recession.
• Internal divisions regarding European policy presented a recurring challenge.
• The government sought to maintain authority after more than a decade of Conservative rule.