Major loses Oxford vote

Oxford University students overwhelmingly backed a no confidence motion in John Major's beleaguered Tory government last night.

Students packed into the Oxford Union to vote 405-173 in support of the motion 'This House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government'.

Every seat in the Union was taken, and 500 students watched proceedings on specially installed video screens outside the chamber.

It was the first debate of the new academic year and one Oxford Union official said: 'We haven't had anything like this in years.'