The EU referendum vote

My opposition to membership of the EU is well-documented so it will come as no surprise that I am disappointed that the Prime Minister is reported as insisting on a three-line whip ordering Conservative MPs to vote against a referendum.  It will store up more bitterness on the EU issue.  A free vote for all Conservative MPs, including the pay-roll vote, would take some of the heat out of the debate.

MPs will be sounding out their constituents.  One example of the line being taken by MPs planning to vote 'No' is this:

http://www.damiancollins.com/2011/10/the-eu-in-out-or-shake-it-all-about/

A number of interesting articles:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/steve-richards/steve-richards-eurosceptics-are-stirring-again-and-theres-panic-in-downing-street-2372924.html

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/2011/10/from-richard4watford-an-eu-debate-amounts-to-a-kneejerk-indulgence-for-eurosceptics.html

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/10/the-eu-rebellion-is-a-symptom-of-a-breakdown-in-relations-between-cameron-and-large-numbers-of-his-m.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8836554/Britain-deserves-a-chance-to-have-a-referendum-on-EU-membership.html

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2011/10/58-mps-including-46-tories-sign-next-thursdays-european-referendum-motion.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-rebels-set-to-quit-government-in-row-over-europe-referendum-2373803.html