 Around this time Major – who in an unfortunate phrase denounced the Labour Leader John Smith as "Monsieur Oui, the poodle of Brussels" – tried to demand an increase in the Qualified Majority needed for voting in the newly enlarged European Union (i.e.making it easier for Britain, in alliance with other countries, to block federalist measures).After Major had to back down on this issue Tony Marlow called openly in the House of Commons for his resignation.