Damaged goods. Dave should have talked to Roy

So, David Cameron has had his nose bloodied by the Tory 'rebels' who refused to obey a three-line whip on the referendum debate. Take away the 'payroll' vote and  about half of the Conservative backbenchers did not follow orders.  79 voted for the referendum and 2 registered absentions.  Two tellers who would have voted 'yes' and it is believed  12 unregistered abstentions. (Interesting to read the list of Labour MPs who voted 'yes'.)

See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8847123/EU-referendum-how-the-MPs-voted.html

See:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8847032/EU-referendum-David-Cameron-hit-by-biggest-Conservative-rebellion.html

Once backbenchers acquire the taste for rebellion (and the ego trips that go with it) it is almost impossible to stop.  The result will add to tensions within the Coalition.  I cannot help but think that one reason so many Conservative MPs rebelled is that they are heartily fed up with the Liberal Democrat tail wagging the Coalition dog.

Mind you Conservative disloyalty to the Leader on such a scale is very rare. But it happens, as Roy Bullock, the former Leader of Tunbridge Wells can testify, having been sniped at for months by fellow councillors before being ousted.

Olive branch from Cameron?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15442765

Interesting, but not unexpected comment from Clegg.  Sooner the Coalition is dismantled the better.