Back in November 2007, Hague had said that following the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty without a referendum, such circumstances “… would not be acceptable to a Conservative government and we would not let matters rest there”. Eleven months on, it seems the phrase still holds true, despite everything that has happened.
As the BBC reports: “Mr Cameron would not be drawn on whether a Conservative government would hold a referendum on the EU treaty even if it had been ratified by the time they got into power. But he said they ‘would not let the matter rest there’ and would set out what they would do if and when the treaty was ratified by all EU states.”
Whether that is satisfactory to most Tory voters, we will have to see.
Put it this way: if the Party was questioned about any other area of serious consideration – whether that be rises in taxation, financial management for the 2010-2011 period, tackling the debt economy – would it be acceptable if Cameron simply replied “we would not let the matter rest there”. No it would not. The same applies to this urgent situation which the United Kingdom now finds itself in.
If the Conservative Party cannot offer a solution to one of the most pressing issues for the people and constitutional settlement of this country, then there is nothing serious to vote for.
