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David Cameron was warned that he faces four years of trench warfare with disgruntled backbenchers after he suffered the largest postwar rebellion on Europe as 81 Conservative MPs voted in favour of a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.
With a new opinion poll showing overwhelming support for a referendum, normally loyal backbenchers told Downing Street that Cameron will face further rebellions unless he takes a tough stance in EU treaty negotiations.
The warnings were issued as nearly half of Cameron's backbenchers defied a three-line whip to vote in favour of a motion calling for a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the EU on current terms, whether to leave or whether to renegotiate Britain's membership.
The prime minister ordered the sacking of one parliamentary private secretary, Stewart Jackson, after he spoke against the government. Adam Holloway, PPS to the Europe minister David Lidington stood down after he too announced that he would vote in favour of the referendum. ---------------------------- I'm lovin' it!
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