MR John Major's government appears confident it can defeat a Labour Party attempt to force a "confidence" vote in the House of Commons next week, with the early indications that the Ulster Unionists will resist the Labour move -on the back of a motion on the BSE issue - to force an early general election.
Labour raised the pre election stakes last night after the Shadow Cabinet agreed to table a censure motion against the Agriculture Minister, Mr Douglas Hogg, over his handling of the BSE crisis. As Chief Whip Donald Dewar tried to mobilise the combined strength of the Opposition parties, Labour sources indicated that a government defeat on Monday could trigger a no confidence debate.
It has emerged, however, that Labour whips made their move without consulting the Ulster Unionists, who reacted angrily to the plan.
Mr Ken Maginnis MP told Irish Times this morning Labour's business managers shown "a total misjudgment of the temper of Ulster unionism and our determination that we will not be lobby fodder for either of the major parties."
It is understood Mr Maginnis was speaking after holding consultations with his party leader, Mr David Trimble. It was also being stressed that, even if the Ulster Unionists were to support Labour in its attack over BSE, they would not necessarily follow that by backing a "no confidence" heave against Mr Major's government.
It was also being pointed out last night that, pending the Wirral by election, Mr Blair does not have the numbers to ensure victory.