Take it from a eurosceptic: Adam Afriyie’s plan won’t give the British people a say

I shared the surprise of most Conservative colleagues when I read Adam Afriyie’s proposed amendment to the European Referendum Bill currently going through Parliament. I thought in recent months we had established something that has eluded my Party for most of the time of my membership – a unity and consensus on matters European.

The Parliamentary Party overwhelmingly backs the Bill being brought forward by my good friend, the talented and warm James Wharton. That offering is simply: if the Conservative Party wins the 2015 election there will be an In/Out referendum by 2017.  David Cameron will get his chance to get powers back and the people will make their judgement on his success in national poll.

So shouldn’t we be tempted by the Afriyie proposal to fast forward the timing? Wouldn’t this be just the idea to shoot the fox of all those who write to us saying they have heard the promise before and simply don’t believe us?

Perhaps.