Every MP, whatever the balance of opinion in their constituency, should always decide things for themselves. They AREN'T delegates!

Every MP, whatever the balance of opinion in their constituency, should always decide things for themselves. They AREN'T delegates!

The point of the referendum was to quieten for ever the Eurosceptic wing of the Tory party and to stop the surge of Farage. It was a purely political act designed to protect the Tory party by Cameron which went badly wrong, made worse by promising to honour the result which was the only thing that gave it any legitimacy. Events though always create the need to review and revise commitments and it's Parliament's absolute duty to do so if it believes Cameron's promise no longer has validity.

Soubry is acting exactly as a MP should act. She is a representative of her constituents. All of them, and not just those who voted for her. That includes those too young to vote, those who didn't bother to vote and those who voted against her. It's her job to act according to her conscience and not just the perceived wishes of her local electorate. She is a representative and not a delegate. If her party no longer matches her views then she had no option than to leave it and let the electorate decide at a GE whether they want her to continue, as a person of principle, to represent them.

My position on referendums has not altered, and will not alter. I don't want them EVER to be used and think Parliament is the only place where matters ought be debated and decided.

Not publicly at the moment as there are much more pressing matters but after the dust settles I would expect the whole issue to become more prevalent so we can avoid this fiasco ever happening again.

Holding public consultations so the strength of opinion can be tested and publicly debated in a way that engages people is wise.

Asking them to determine policy is madness. It throws our country into the winds of fortune and which way they blow can be hugely influenced from malign forces overseas, interest groups and money.

I'd rather trust our representatives.

Perhaps thinking of the UK they used to know?

That's just untrue.

Here among this particular group of anti EU hardliners, who clearly don't have any real understanding of how the British system works, that might be true but even then I doubt it. Some may but hide behind their entrenched prejudices.

Out in the real world ask almost anyone who has a real knowledge of politics and they will confirm exactly what I have said.