LONDON : Maastricht Test

The British Parliament on Wednesday will hold a preliminary vote on the Maastricht Treaty on European union after a debate that will feature Conservative Party dissidents, dubbed Euroskeptics, opposing the government position.

A favorable vote will pave the way for a final debate and vote later in the year on the controversial treaty, which is supported by Prime Minister John Major but has split his Tory party.

The opposition Labor Party, treating Wednesday’s ballot as a vote of confidence in the government, will oppose the measure. But since the Europhile, third-party Liberal Democrats support the treaty, their votes are expected to make up for any shortfall and ensure a majority vote in favor.