Tory MEPs Revolt
Roger Helmer, formerly the Tory spokesman on employment in the European Parliament, has stepped down from his frontbench role. In an article for ConservativeHome, he says David Cameron's new thinking on Europe is "an essentially cosmetic policy". "We are installing a largely ineffective burglar alarm when the family silver has already been stolen". Despite Mr Cameron's claim that he never promised a vote on a ratified treaty, Mr Helmer writes "I was elected on an explicit Manifesto Commitment to a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Yesterday, David Cameron rejected that commitment and repudiated that policy". Mr Helmer's resignation from the frontbench follows that of Daniel Hannan, formerly the Conservative legal spokesman and standard bearer for the right of the party. On his blog, despite making clear his admiration for Mr Cameron, he wrote: "This Conservative is for a referendum: a proper, deep-cleansing referendum that will settle whether our country remains subordinate, or becomes self-governing. "Now who will stand on either hand and keep the bridge with me?" I recall interviewing Mr Hannan at the party conference, and asking him whether he felt at odds with the direction the party was taking on Europe. He answered no; I now wonder what has given him pause for thought. snip http://blogs.news.sky.com/boultonandco/Post:38834558-ba25-4310-81a5-cdc0cbb3eab6
Roger Helmer, formerly the Tory spokesman on employment in the European Parliament, has stepped down from his frontbench role. In an article for ConservativeHome, he says David Cameron's new thinking on Europe is "an essentially cosmetic policy". "We are installing a largely ineffective burglar alarm when the family silver has already been stolen". Despite Mr Cameron's claim that he never promised a vote on a ratified treaty, Mr Helmer writes "I was elected on an explicit Manifesto Commitment to a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Yesterday, David Cameron rejected that commitment and repudiated that policy". Mr Helmer's resignation from the frontbench follows that of Daniel Hannan, formerly the Conservative legal spokesman and standard bearer for the right of the party. On his blog, despite making clear his admiration for Mr Cameron, he wrote: "This Conservative is for a referendum: a proper, deep-cleansing referendum that will settle whether our country remains subordinate, or becomes self-governing. "Now who will stand on either hand and keep the bridge with me?" I recall interviewing Mr Hannan at the party conference, and asking him whether he felt at odds with the direction the party was taking on Europe. He answered no; I now wonder what has given him pause for thought. snip http://blogs.news.sky.com/boultonandco/Post:38834558-ba25-4310-81a5-cdc0cbb3eab6