News today that David Cameron is to ditch his “cast iron” guarantee of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty raises questions about how Conservative MPs and prospective Conservative candidates will respond to the new line says Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice. 

Speaking from Westminster, the MP commented: “Two years ago, on 17 October 2007, over forty five Conservative MPs took the view that a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty should be held “before or after ratification”. Now that the Treaty has been ratified I want to know if they have changed their view, just like their Leader, David Cameron.” 

“Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidates such as my own in Pendle, should also speak out.” 

“Andrew Stephenson, the PPC for Pendle, repeatedly called for a referendum in his freesheet “Pendle Matters” and in petitions and in the local press. Is he going to change his mind?” 

The Pendle MP tabled the following Commons motion which will appear on the Order Paper tomorrow (Thursday 5 November 2009) This House notes that on 17 October 2007 over 40 hon and right hon Conservative members, including Ian Duncan Smith, John Redwood, Douglas Carswell, Nigel Evans and Greg Hands expressed the view that a referendum should be held on the Lisbon Treaty “before or after ratification” and requests that the members concerned should clarify their position now that the Treaty has been ratified by all Member States and is anticipated to come into effect on 1 December 2009  

Note to Editors: Early Day Motion 2143 on the European Reform Treaty appeared on the Order Paper on 17 October 2007 and called for a referendum “before or after” the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.