Coalition squares up for fight over Europe
Cameron has pledged to back a Conservative MP's EU referendum bill, as Cable labelled the move potentially 'damaging' for the country.
Half of all Tory backbenchers defy Cameron in EU vote
114 Conservative backbenchers have voted in favour of a eurosceptic motion to amend the Queen's Speech in defiance of the Prime Minister.
PM: EU referendum Bill was always the intention
David Cameron has denied he has buckled under pressure from his backbench MPs over the EU debate.
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Conservative Home editor: How are your eyes today?
Paul Goodman, the editor of the Conservative Home blog, has posted this tweet a day after reports that a senior Tory aide described party activists as "mad swivel-eyed loons".
Morning, all. How are your eyes today? Steady in their sockets?
From @PaulGoodmanCH on Twitter:Read: Senior Tory aide: Activists are 'mad swivel-eyed loons'
Farage: Tories 'hate' supporters who believe UKIP ideas
UKIP leader Nigel Farage has responded to front page stories in the The Daily Telegraph and The Times reporting that a senior Conservative aide has accused party activists of being "mad swivel-eyed loons".
If you are a Conservative supporter who believes in UKIP ideas then your party hates you. Come and join us. http://t.co/HrM4eC6EIu
From @Nigel_Farage on Twitter:Advertisement
Senior Tory aide: Activists are 'mad swivel-eyed loons'
The Daily Telegraph and The Times are reporting that a senior Conservative aide has accused party activists of being "mad swivel-eyed loons."
The Telegraph reports the comments were made about the recent revolt in the parliamentary party over no mention of a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union in the Queen's Speech.
The senior figure is reported to have said: “There’s really no problem. The MPs just have to do it because the associations tell them to, and the associations are all mad swivel-eyed loons.”
Neither paper names the person, but the Telegraph alleges that they are "a senior figure in the Conservative Party who has strong social connections to the Prime Minister."
Coalition squares up for fight over Europe
Cameron has pledged to back a Conservative MP's EU referendum bill, as Cable labelled the move potentially 'damaging' for the country.
Read the full storyVince Cable: Europe the world's 'largest trading market'
by Mark GoughVince Cable told an Anglo-American business conference tonight that for all its problems, Europe is the largest trading market in the world.
He said no friend of British business would advocate breaking from Europe, but said there must be reform.
Cable: EU referendum bill 'damaging to the country'
Business Secretary Vince Cable has hit out at the EU referendum Bill, saying leaving the EU will create a lot of uncertainty for millions of British businesses and could threaten the UK's fragile recovery. Branding the move untimely and unhelpful, he said:
"This is just reopening a Pandora's box which potentially is not only damaging to them as a party, but it is damaging to the country."
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Why did an MP tweet that God must be a Eurosceptic?
by Chris Ship - Deputy Political EditorAn MP tweeted this morning that "God must be a Eurosceptic", why did he tweet that?
Well, because you had a ballot that had 500 names on it and not only was it a Conservative MP that came out as number one, it was a Tory MP who supported the mini-rebellion last night, saying that a vote on the European referendum should have been included in the Queen's Speech.
That MP is James Wharton and he has confirmed he will pick-up the Conservative draft bill on an EU referendum and plans to take it through Parliament.
It is a step forward in turning this into law but there are still plenty of obstacles, remember this draft legislation is Conservative-only. It is not government legislation because the Liberal Democrats do not support this.
It will not get government time, it risks being spoken out, but the Prime Minister said he is "very pleased" this MP will continue and support this legislation and plans to take it through.
The bad news for all of us, is that the Tories won't stop talking about Europe.
Cameron 'very happy' on EU referendum draft bill
by Chris Ship - Deputy Political EditorNumber 10 on Private Members' Bill: David Cameron is "very happy" James Wharton has taken on EU referendum draft legislation and will give it the Conservative party's "full backing".
Tory MPs will be given a three line whip to support the Private Members' Bill on it passage through Parliament.
But Downing Street are unable to guarantee the Bill will be given government time for its passage through Parliament because Nick Clegg disagrees with the Prime Minister on the issue.
Tory MP: Europe issue 'needs to be resolved'
Conservative MP James Wharton, who will be tabling a bill on having an EU referendum after topping a ballot of MPs today, told ITV News that the issue of Europe "needs to be resolved" before the government moves on to "what really matters."
MP to table EU referendum bill after topping ballot
Conservative MP James Wharton will be tabling an EU referendum Bill as a Private Member's Bill after coming top of today's ballot of MPs, his office confirmed.
– James Wharton, Stockton South MPThe Conservative Party has committed to holding a referendum by the end of 2017 and I believe Parliament should be given a chance to show its support for the Prime Minister’s position and enshrine this commitment in law.
I will be bringing forward a Bill to give people a say on our membership and hope that MPs from across the political divide will support me.
Like many people I am not old enough to have had a say when the original 1975 referendum took place. I think it is time for people to have their say again and I am delighted to get the opportunity to bring forward this important Bill.
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