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Cameron v the Eurosceptics: let the battle commence Cameron v the Eurosceptics: let the battle commence
(about 7 hours later)
Like a bottle of noxious green poison being opened, the issue of Europe is once again working its venom on the Tory party. Today, the Commons debates the European Union referendum bill, against a backdrop of confusion and germinal resentment. If precedent is a guide, things will get worse before they get better.Like a bottle of noxious green poison being opened, the issue of Europe is once again working its venom on the Tory party. Today, the Commons debates the European Union referendum bill, against a backdrop of confusion and germinal resentment. If precedent is a guide, things will get worse before they get better.
Related: Meet the new 'bastards' – the Tories' 50-strong awkward squadRelated: Meet the new 'bastards' – the Tories' 50-strong awkward squad
Over the weekend, Conservatives for Britain, a new group of Eurosceptic Tory MPs, declared itself in business. The timing – the eve of the bill’s second reading – was no accident.Over the weekend, Conservatives for Britain, a new group of Eurosceptic Tory MPs, declared itself in business. The timing – the eve of the bill’s second reading – was no accident.
Officially, the 50-strong caucus, including former cabinet ministers John Redwood and Owen Paterson, wishes Cameron well in his bid to deliver improved terms of membership for Britain in the EU. But its members are privately clear – as is the PM – that a chasm separates their respective definitions of a satisfactory renegotiation. The well-wishing is perfunctory and laced with menace.Officially, the 50-strong caucus, including former cabinet ministers John Redwood and Owen Paterson, wishes Cameron well in his bid to deliver improved terms of membership for Britain in the EU. But its members are privately clear – as is the PM – that a chasm separates their respective definitions of a satisfactory renegotiation. The well-wishing is perfunctory and laced with menace.
What the group’s very existence indicates – as if the PM needed reminding – is that he has a fight on his hands. A fight? In most cases, a party leader who had just delivered a remarkable victory in defiance of almost every opinion poll might expect at least a brief honeymoon of tribal unity. But when it comes to Europe and the Tory party, tribal unity is a poor second behind flame-eyed doctrine.What the group’s very existence indicates – as if the PM needed reminding – is that he has a fight on his hands. A fight? In most cases, a party leader who had just delivered a remarkable victory in defiance of almost every opinion poll might expect at least a brief honeymoon of tribal unity. But when it comes to Europe and the Tory party, tribal unity is a poor second behind flame-eyed doctrine.
Cameron was a cabinet special adviser during John Major’s premiership. He watched the party lose its reputation for economic reputation as it was driven out of the European exchange rate mechanism on Black Wednesday; he had a front row seat as the Tories’ secret weapon – loyalty – was decommissioned during the Maastricht debates. In 2006, he told the party he now led that it could no longer afford to indulge itself by “banging on about Europe”.Cameron was a cabinet special adviser during John Major’s premiership. He watched the party lose its reputation for economic reputation as it was driven out of the European exchange rate mechanism on Black Wednesday; he had a front row seat as the Tories’ secret weapon – loyalty – was decommissioned during the Maastricht debates. In 2006, he told the party he now led that it could no longer afford to indulge itself by “banging on about Europe”.
Membership Event: Guardian Newsroom: Brexit - what would happen if Britain left the EU?
The in-out referendum he announced in his Bloomberg speech in January 2013 bought him time. But now battle lines are being drawn.The in-out referendum he announced in his Bloomberg speech in January 2013 bought him time. But now battle lines are being drawn.
CfB’s formation is a warning to Cameron that – as in the 1990s – a Conservative prime minister with a small majority is structurally vulnerable to organised rebellion. If he does not deliver what these MPs want – essentially, the renewal of parliamentary sovereignty – they will fight for Brexit.CfB’s formation is a warning to Cameron that – as in the 1990s – a Conservative prime minister with a small majority is structurally vulnerable to organised rebellion. If he does not deliver what these MPs want – essentially, the renewal of parliamentary sovereignty – they will fight for Brexit.
Already, the PM has had to back down over the precise obligations of his ministers, issuing a messy “clarification” of his initial remarks about the freedoms they will enjoy during the referendum. There will be many more battles, and many more opportunities for Cameron to assert his leadership. But as far as the pro-Brexit Tories are concerned, the other guy just blinked first.Already, the PM has had to back down over the precise obligations of his ministers, issuing a messy “clarification” of his initial remarks about the freedoms they will enjoy during the referendum. There will be many more battles, and many more opportunities for Cameron to assert his leadership. But as far as the pro-Brexit Tories are concerned, the other guy just blinked first.