LONDON - Now that the waiting is finally over and the date has been set for the UK elections, Mr Major and his opponents have begun what will be the longest election campaign this century.
Rachel Donnelly outlines some important dates ahead:
March 21st - the prorogation of parliament. Parliament will be discontinued but not formally dissolved until after the Easter break.
April 8th - Parliament will be formally dissolved and MPs will return to their constituencies as the election campaign gets underway.
May 1st - Election Day throughout Britain and Northern Ireland.
May 2nd - the newly elected prime minister will choose his Cabinet.
May 7th - the election of the speaker of the House of Commons. MPs will be sworn in to parliament.
May 14th - the opening of parliament and the queen's speech outlining the new government's programme.