Tory MPs are plotting to force a referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty within months, setting up the first test of the coalition Government's uneasy truce on Europe.
Backbencher Douglas Carswell, he of the face like a melted welly, revealed that he and other Eurosceptic Conservatives hope to take advantage of a technical change to the treaty to force a public vote. The Foreign Office confirmed yesterday that plans for a minor increase in the number of MEPs would require a change in the law in this country.
Mr Carswell said this might provide a chance to revive a Tory pledge to hold a referendum on the controversial treaty which handed a raft of fresh powers to Brussels. Any move to force a referendum would place huge strain on the relationship between pro-European Liberal Democrats and their largely Eurosceptic Tory coalition partners. It would also create a headache for David Cameron, who attempted to play down Europe as an issue during the election campaign after dropping his 'cast-iron' pledge to hold a referendum after the treaty was ratified last year.
Let's see if 'call me Dave' really has the courage of his conviction or is he just another EU luvvie. I KNOW WHERE MY MONEY WILL BE LYING!
