European Union (Amendment) Bill

What ought to be most shocking for the Democracy Movement's supporters, who have supported a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union in the past, is that its leaflet makes no mention of the Liberal Democrats' support for such a referendum and the fact that we have been opposed and gagged by the Conservative and Labour parties. Once we strip away the myths about the treaty and examine its real benefits, there is no other credible position to take tonight than to vote for it. Of course, the Conservatives will vote against it, as we have heard, but their position raises interesting questions about their future European policy. As the Foreign Secretary has asked, what will they do once the Lisbon treaty is ratified? That question could dominate the 2009 European elections, by which time the Lisbon treaty will have been ratified. I cannot imagine the UK Independence party missing a trick; UKIP will harry every Conservative European parliamentary candidate, probably armed with white handkerchiefs, accusing the Conservatives of surrender. The Conservatives' position on their future referendum policy is delphic. Let us remind ourselves of it. The line from the right hon. Members for Witney (Mr. Cameron) and for Richmond, Yorks is:"““We will not let matters rest””." That is stirring stuff for an election fight with UKIP—