First, he tried to steer the United Kingdom through economic doldrums caused by the privatization of government industries during the 1980s.
Second, Major faced what he called the "intractable" problem: his party was split in two by the thorny issue of a greater Europe.
These battles between the Euroskeptics, who championed national sovereignty and worried that a British monetary union with Europe would weaken the county's economy, and the Europhiles, who saw an extra-national union as the way to the U.K.'s salvation, wore Major down.
"This deep-ridden conflict, he inherited," Norris said. "He didn't try to paper over it. I don't think there was anything he could have done."
By any measure, and even in the face of criticism, John Major was unflappable. The day he resigned, he left 10 Downing St. for the relief of the cricket field.
According to Norris, Major now serves as an advisor to the party and as an elder statesman to the country. According to Norris, he will help the Conservatives focus their message as they try to recover from more than two years in the opposition.
"I think John Major has settled in nicely," she said.