‘Revolting Tories’ - 1/2 Term News Pick

There has been no shortage of interesting articles in today’s press in the wake of the ‘Revolting Tories’. 79 Tory MPs rebelled against the government by voting for an EU referendum, as well as 19 Labour MPs. Yesterday, the EU referendum motion was defeated by 483 to 111. In total, 79 Tory MPs defied the government to vote in favour of holding a referendum (not including the two tellers), making this the biggest ever Conservative rebellion over Europe. Here is the full list of MPs who voted against the government [can you spot your local backwoodsman MP?] can be found here.

Here are a few which touch on aspects of the AS Course.

1. David Cameron, captain of a hostile team - Tim Montgomerie, The Guardian

There may be no challenger to David Cameron as leader of the Conservative party, but he should not underestimate the seriousness of his position. Large numbers of his own MPs and many grassroots Tories have lost all affection for him.

Worth relating to how powerful is the PM? Does he have the full weight of his party behind him?

1. Peradventure there be 111 righteous within the city…Daniel Hannan, The Daily Telegraph

One hundred and eleven MPs kept faith with their constituents. Two resigned their government posts rather than behave falsely: Stewart Jackson and Adam Holloway.

1. Little England: Britain sleepwalks towards break-up (Financial Times)

The argument about the union binding Scotland to England has been recast, says Philip Stephens. Will they be together in 15 years? Don’t bet on it

Link to how effective have Constitutional Reforms been post 1997?

1. Steve Richards: The Sceptics’ rage over Europe is a proxy battle - The Independent

In British politics there is both Europe and “Europe”. The first is a messy, draining, crisis-ridden reality. The other is a flexible fantasy that comes to the fore to wreck governments every few years. The real European Union is bureaucratic, lacks clear lines of accountability and evolves erratically. Yet for all its problems, Europe is worth having and being part of, more so now than when Britain joined in the early 1970s