Tories ordered to vote against an EU Referendum.

[Gromit]

After gaining enough signatures from the public, the e-petition calling for a referendum on EU membership, will be debated in Parliament next week. Conservative MPs have been oredered to vote against a referendum, meaning it will almost certainly fail.

Some observations.
1. Didn't Cameron promise a referendum on the EU? Isn't this a let down?
2. Many Tory MPs will vote (or just not turn up) contrary to their true belief that they want out of the EU. Doesn't that expose a huge rift running through the Conservative party?
3. Isn't this whole e-petition thing an expensive sham. The Government will do only what it wants, and will ignore petitions it doesn't like.

http://www.telegraph....st-EU-referendum.html

Personally, I want to stay in the EU, but all you Euroskeptics/phobes/haters must be jolly upset by Cameron cracking the whip?

[jake-the-peg]

I don't think there's anything new in the fact that the Tory patry is completly split on Europe and being in government with the Lib Dems only makes it worse.

It's the elephant in the room they've been ignoring for the last 18 months and Cameron's rather hoping that he can enforce his will and that it all blows over.

I must say that in his position I'd do exactly the same.

It's the one issue that has the power to break the coalition and bring down the Government

[Gromit]

Do you think any Tory MPs will defy the Government?

[emmie]

He did, and yes it is, boo

[Old_Geezer]

I tend to be jolly upset at any time the preople's representatives are refused the right to give the people's view, as a democracy demands.

[jake-the-peg]

It's one of he problems with the constituency system.

If your MP happens to be a member of the Government or even of a particular political persuasion you may not get much joy from them ov particular issue.

With the European MEP system each region has a number of MEPs so you can take up any issue with the one you think will be most sympathetic.

I think we could learn from that

[emmie]

I think they have reneged and should be held to account. I suspect even if Labour were in power the same would be said, no referendum, sorry folks.

[Old_Geezer]

Banning Whips might be a good start. Either the MP is there for the people, or they are not. They ought not ever be simple lobby fodder.

[anotheoldgit]

Liberal leftie Cameron can order all he likes, but it doesn't mean his MPs have to take any notice.

[Gromit]

AOG

You really think Cameron is a Liberal Leftie? Have you not noticed the Government's policies?

So how many Conservative MPs do you imagine will defy the paerty whips?

[emmie]

AOG, don't think cameron is a liberal leftie, but his coat tails are being held by one.

[DTCwordfan]

Banning Whips?

I thought that they had, two before the final furlong, no more than five whacks in the last 220 yards - perhaps they ought to do something similar in the House.

[jno]

this was pretty much the rift that's kept the Tories divided (and out of power) for years; I don't blame Cameron for wanting to keep the issue quiet.

My recollection is that he promised a referendum if the latest treaty hadn't been ratified. But it has, so he can't see the point any more.

[emmie]

jno, they know when they are on to a good thing, to hell with everyone else though.

[brionon]

It's called 'The Party System'' Have you complained before ?

[sandyRoe]

Foxy might defy the government. What has he to lose now?

[ichkeria]

The last thing we need now is a referendum on Europe.
The second-last thing we need now is a depate in parliament on a referendum on Europe.
Cameron did the right thing - well, he has to do something right!

[emmie]

wrong, the last thing we need is to be embroiled in the shenanigans of the ever expanding EU, what if Turkey join, who next, and the Euro, is this still a viable currency in the light of all the bail outs that have been going on.

[ichkeria]

An apt mention of Turkey, since we'd be turkeys voting for Christmas if we voted no (I don't think that would actually happen).
I remember the last referendum and the level of debate on both sides was profoundly depressing. I'd expect the same thing with any EU referendum.

[emmie]

seeing as how Turkey has feet in both Europe and Asia, not sure how their inclusion would be right.