h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

These are only rare in modern parliaments. They were still very prevailent in the 19th Century before the party political system was so tight and Party Whips were used to ensure discipline within the parties. The last 'vote of confidence' came during John Major's parliament when he narrowly avoided defeat having pushed through the Maastrict Treaty. Had he failed to do so the Labour leader would undoubtedly have moved for a vote of censure in the Government, but the Whips would have had a easier time winning depite the single figure majority the Conservatives held in the house. Too many Tories at that point were already scared of losing their seats. The last sucessful vote of no Confidence was in the 1970s