MPs have rejected proposals to hold a UK-wide referendum on whether to ratify the EU's Lisbon Treaty. The House of Commons turned down the Conservative proposal by 311 votes to 248 - a margin of 63. The result means Parliament itself will decide whether to ratify the treaty, signed by EU leaders last December.

So despite every political party saying at the last General Election we would have a referendum on ratification, times change as it would it seem, a lot of politicians positions on their electoral promises.

At this point, I am minded to paraphrase Kipling’s Epitaphs (with sincerest & most grovelling apologies) …

I could not dig: I dared not rob:
So I lied to please the Euro mob.
Now all my lies are proved untrue
And I must face the men I knew.
What tale shall serve me here among
Mine angry & defrauded young?

As for your humble correspondent, its time to take fight to the enemy … I’m off sausage side at lunchtime