Putting the Boot In

Like a football supporter reading about a rival team's relegation worries, Conservative fans must have been cheered by the reports of Labour leadership fractures and disunity.  How strange then that when an opportunity to twist the knife arises, some Conservative rebels should choose a more selfish cause?

I do not pretend to understand the legal niceties of the 35 justice and home affairs measures recommended for readoption by Parliament but it does seem that most concerns have been addressed.  There remains the unquantifiable fear that our sovereignty could be diminished.  Fair enough, but given everything else from Europe that is chipping away at our independence, why here and why now?  Is there really a red line of sovereignty that is about to be crossed?  If the rebels think that by rebelling, they will be telling David Cameron something he does not already know, they must think him a very badly briefed Prime Minister indeed!

The greater good  could be served by ensuring a Conservative majority  and a referendum on Europe.  What better way for Conservatives to demonstrate to the electorate that they mean business than by uniting behind their leader - showing that they can put nit-picking points of principle in their proper place in the grand scheme of things?

Conservatives going through the Division Lobby united behind the Prime Minister would be the equivalent of performing a Haka Dance in front of Labour and their wavering supporters.  Just do it, put the boot in on the opposition, not your own side!

Sorry to mix my sporting metaphors!