Public opinion polls show overwhelming demand for a referendum on continued membership of the European Union, with over 100,000 people signing an online petition. The response from all political parties in the Commons? A three-line whip to reject the motion calling for a referendum.
The debate was moved from 27 October to 24 October to frustrate those planning on lobbying their MP – a cheap parliamentarian sleight of hand to cheat the people of Britain (called “barking” by Miliband). Even so a massive backbench revolt saw 111 MPs vote for the motion. ■