European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 30, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Britain a new prime minister mystery Man in 10 Downing Streeby Steven Prokesch new York times if government leaders around the world Are not too sure who John major Britain a new prime minister is they should t feel too bad. A lot of people in Lambeth the working class Borough in South London where he grew up and began his political career Arentt too sure either. Al did no to have a clue who he was Quot when he stepped into the spotlight As a contender to succeed Margaret Thatcher said Tony Kelly a 33-year-old construction worker. Throughout Britain people were still trying to adjust to the fact that after 11 it it years in Power Thatcher was gone. Whether they loved or hated her virtually everyone in Britain knew where the Warrior against socialism stood on things. But despite the Many interviews with major that have appeared since he entered the race to succeed her on nov. 22, Many britons confess that they Don t know much about the Low key quiet spoken Man who has served As Chancellor of the exchequer for 13 months and who has been in the Cabinet for 3vfc years. Quot i did want him to get it but i done to know Why Quot said Jackie Jeavons 16, As she waited for a train at Victoria station in Central London. Could it be that he is 47, while the other contenders were in their 50s and 60s? Quot its much better that he a younger Quot she agreed. At the Atlantic a pub in the poor Brixton Section of Lambeth that is frequented by Blacks Clint Davis and his friends were struggling to size up their new prime minister. Quot he a a mystery Man Quot said Davis a 29-year-old electrician who works for British aerospace. Quot i had t heard of him until he was named  he is hardly the Only one. In August 1988, when Market and opinion research International Ltd. Showed a photo of major to 1,891 people Only 2 percent could identify him. It really has Only been in the last week when newspapers and television programs heralded him not Only As a leading candidate to succeed Thatcher but also her Choice that the Public began to take him seriously As a potential Leader according to opinion polls. Quot he was t considered a real contender among the general Public Quot said Simon Braunholz a senior research executive at Market and opinion research. Quot he does t have a Strong  to americans who probably know a lot More than they want to know about their presidents by the time they get elected it might seem strange that such a relative nobody could suddenly be the Leader of the British people. But it was not the people who chose him. It was the 372 conservative members of parliament. And they ignored what most opinion polls taken in the last week indicated that Michael Heseltine a former defense Secretary who has campaigned to succeed Thatcher for nearly five years would have the Best Chance of enabling the Torres to win a fourth consecutive general election. One could also argue that major was not the overwhelming Choice of the tory maps he received 185 votes last tuesday or 2 less than a majority and Only won after the two other contenders a Heseltine and foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd withdrew and threw their support to major. Even to Many britons who have had centuries to get used to the fact that they have no direct say in choosing their Leader it is strange that a mystery Man is suddenly in 10 Downing St. While Thatcher was a relative nobody when she ousted Edward Heath As tory Leader in 1975, she then served As opposition Leader in parliament for More than four years and thus was Well known by the time she became prime minister in 1979. Quot major s not the people s Choice Quot Marcus Samuels a 63-year-old Semi retired local government worker said As he nursed a drink at the Atlantic. A up the Street at the Prince Albert a pub mainly frequented by Whites. Alison Bumstead a 25-year-od single Mother and labor party supporter agreed Quot the country should decide who is prime minister it shout Del be just the conservative  one thing Many britons resent is the fact that those running to represent a constituency in parliament done to have to live in it and in the Case of the country s other i major party labor local party members can have their Choice disregarded by the Central party organization. Another sore Point for britons is that unlike in Many other countries with parliamentary systems the numbed seats that a party holds in Britain a House of commons May have Littie to do with its share of the vote. I in the last general election in 1987, the conservatives won 57.7 percent of the seats with Only 42,2 percent Oil vote. In Brixton where most vote labor people Are not embracing him As the Hometown boy. Quot he s Margaret Thatcher s Lap dog. He won t last vein Long Quot said John p. Mccaffrey a retired truck Driver. At Victoria station it was easier to find More people willing to give him a Chance. Quot we expect him to carry on Quot said Kenneth North ail Stevedore from Seaford Sussex. British Way of politics United press International conservative members of parliament have selected a new party Leader and head of the British government in a time honoured process. Voters elect their maps directly and the Leader of the majority party is then asked by the Queen to form a government. When the prime minister loses the Confidence of her party As Margaret Thatcher did members May demand a leadership contest Only maps who Are in the majority party Are allowed to vote for their party Leader. When the new Leader is chosen he or she is summoned to Buckingham Palace to meet with the Queen and formalize the Transfer of Power of the premiership. The British government and its institutions Are a product of slow evolution Over centuries and May seem Quirky to americans who have an almost mythical Faith in their written Constitution with its efficient and democratic checks and balances. The British system relies on unwritten rules and understanding Between the houses of commons and lords the political parties and the Royal family. The codes of behaviour work most of the time to produce a government by consensus. The head of state for the United kingdom of great Britain and Northern Ireland is officially Queen Elizabeth ii. The Queen Calls on the ruling party to form a government and must assent to All the acts of parliament much in the Way a . President can veto a congressional i Bill. In practice the prerogative is mostly ceremonial. His Loryl has reduced the monarchs Powers a the Queen acts on advice of her government ministers that she cannot  parliament itself is divided into two branches the House of lords and the House of commons the roots of the . I Senate and House of representatives respectively. The House of lords comprised of hereditary titleholder honorary titleholder and religious leaders has 1,187 members about 300 of whom regularly attend its sessions. The House of commons has 650 members from constituencies in England Wales Scotland and Northern Ireland. Bills become Law much As in the United states by being1 approved by both houses. The House of lords however is required to approve All Bills having to do with finance that already have been passed by the commons. In practice there has been a two party system in Britain for the past 150 years with seven general elections won by j the conservatives and. Six by labor since 1945.the european Yawp airman Soldier keeping you in touch keeping you informed. For the troops assigned to operation desert shield and the families and loved ones remaining at Home the stars and stripes is dedicated to daily coverage of news and events affecting you and your lives. We report your stories your living conditions your problems your needs. As in Many times past when the Tough get going the stars and stripes is close behind you your link to Home and a familiar world. Marine friends Page 16 a a a mime operation the stars and stripes Friday november 30,1990 she