HOW WAS IT FOR YOU?

Boris blows Tory truce on Europe

Boris Johnson stirred up further trouble for David Cameron yesterday with a pitch for the leadership of the Tory eurosceptics.The controversial Mayor of London called for a referendum to take back powers from Brussels.

In a barnstorming speech, the London Mayor also flouted party policy by calling for the immediate scrapping of Labour's new 50 per cent tax rate for high earners and urged Mr Osborne not to over-regulate the financial sector.

It was a performance that wowed the party faithful and was seen by many as an attempt by Mr Johnson to position himself as leader in waiting.

An animated Boris launches his barnstorming performance

On Europe, Mr Johnson suggested that the Tories' promised referendum could take the form of a 'consultation' if the treaty is passed before they gain power. There could be a vote on 'key parts' of the treaty, rather than a referendum on the whole thing. But he said there should be 'a consultation as soon as possible.'

Later he added: 'I would much rather people had the option to vote in a referendum, but clearly that is going to be very difficult once the thing is signed off.'

The 'Boris problem' greatly complicated the day for Tory high command as Central Office launched a damage limitation exercise over Europe

In the hope of avoiding claims of a split with Mr Johnson, the Tory high command did not issue him with a public rebuke.

FULL STORY AT THE DAILY MAIL

Good for Boris, at least one man in the Conservative Party has his finger on the pulse of the British people after the sellout by Ireland at the weekend in their referendum which is increasingly beginning to appear like the ballot boxes may have been rigged in favour of the yes vote - strange, then, in light of this evidence that Karzai's stuffing of ballot boxes in Afghanistan was seen as corrupt, but if the EU does it, well that's just fine!

I didn't find much about many performances at the conference that kindled much of a fire, except for Boris and Hague. Andrew Lansley in his usual fine form walked out on stage and inserted both feet firmly in his mouth by mentioning the general election against strict orders from the top! When Boris breaks ranks, there is normally a good reason, but Lansley just comes across as complacent and inept.

Still, we can all hope that it's going to improve over the next few days.........

KEEP THE PRESSURE ON CAMERON

Voters demand EU referendum if David Cameron becomes PM

The Tories have come under fierce pressure on Europe as a poll shows that 70 per cent of voters want a Conservative government to offer a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, even if it is already law when they come to power.

So far, the Tories have made only vague promises not to 'stand idly by' if the treaty has already become law across the EU

An ICM survey for The Sunday Telegraph also found that 40 per cent want Britain to leave the European Union altogether, a higher percentage than in other recent polls.

Asked which of the four leading member states did best out of EU membership, 43 per cent said France while 25 per cent chose Germany. Britain was selected by 10 per cent, followed by Italy on eight per cent. Even among voters who identify more with Labour than with any other party, 64 per cent want the Conservatives, if elected, to offer a referendum on the treaty, which will establish an EU president and further entrench the decision-making powers of Brussels.

So far, the Tories have made only vague promises not to “stand idly by” if the treaty has already become law across the EU when they win power. However, David Cameron’s efforts to play down the issue take a further blow today as Edward McMillan-Scott, the senior Conservative MEP expelled from the party last week, accuses the Opposition leader in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph of trying to “smear” his name.

Meanwhile, Labour divisions were also highlighted with Gisela Stuart, a former minister who helped to draw up the treaty’s original blueprint, warning that ratifying Lisbon across the EU would create a “democratic deficit”.  

HAT TIP TO THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 

IRELAND - JUST SAY "NO"!

 PHOTO FROM OLD RIGHTIE

A number of so-called "concessions" are being cited as the reason why Ireland can vote "YES" in the upcoming referendum on the hated Lisbon Treaty which, as everyone knows, is simply the EU Constitution under another name. These "concessions" are not worth the paper they are written on as Lisbon is an all-encompassing, all-powerful treaty, so every country has to abide by the same rules - including Ireland, and nowhere in the treaty is that negotiable. Think very carefully about this and please vote "NO" because once the treaty has been ratified by all 27 countries, there will be no going back - from that point onwards the EU will become a single self-governing entity with its own president, (probably Tony Blair, God help us), its own foreign policy complete with foreign secretary and absolutely no need whatsoever to consult Ireland again or ask Ireland's opinion or permission about anything that they, the EU, wish to undertake. You will most likely be given all kinds of financial reasons for a "YES" vote and *BIFFO* will try to encourage you to do just that as he is placed under extreme pressure from the Brussels bureaucrats already present and campaigning in Ireland but this referendum is now your last chance to govern yourselves so please don't throw it away. The worst that can happen is that they foist yet another referendum on you and another until you give them the "YES" answer they want but by then the UK will be well rid of Gordon Brown and will also be able, finally, to have its own referendum which will deliver a resounding "NO" vote to stop the EU from growing any larger and more powerful. For Ireland's sake and for everyone's sake, please, vote "NO" very loudly and and very proudly and throw the monstrous EU juggernaut into the disarray that it deserves.

(*BIFFO* = Big Ignorant Fucker From Offaly = Brian Cowen)