By Simon Heffer
These are particularly turbulent times for the Tories. Despite claiming to have learned from the defection of many thousands of their traditional voters to UKIP in the council elections, the party’s leadership has failed to act. As a result, frustration is boiling over, with many backbenchers in open revolt. It is likely that the Commons Speaker will accept an amendment from them next week that condemns the absence of an in/out referendum on the EU from the Queen’s Speech.
This will bring divisions into the open and fuel the mood of sedition stoked by party grandees Lord Lawson and Michael Portillo, who have attacked David Cameron for his prevarications on the EU. Both men say the PM’s hopes for a renegotiation on Europe either won’t be successful or, if it is, will bring little change.
They are quite right, and have exposed Mr Cameron’s casual attitude towards reality.
For the truth is that while Europe wasn’t the only reason the Tories did badly and UKIP did well a week ago, it has become emblematic of why core Tory voters are deeply unhappy. They prefer UKIP’s policies: to reduce immigration, taxes, public spending, overseas aid, the number of wind farms and to promote selective education……To Read More…..
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