So much for three-line whips. The British Tories made voting against a referendum on the EU a party-line vote, but 80 members voted for it anyway. Often times, people bucking the party leadership can be kicked out of caucus or at least not asked to run again next time; however, when you have that large of a block giving the party leader the middle-digit salute, you might not be in position to kick everyone out at once.
The Conservatives would not have a majority were the Euroskeptic block to bolt; the Conservatives need the Liberal Democrats to prop up the government, and the 80-seat faction is bigger than the LDs. Thus, that three-line whip might be something of an empty threat, unless PM Cameron wants a new election over the issue.
The most interesting thing is that the powers that be are ignoring public sentiment against the EU. They don't want a vote on the issue because they would lose. Rarely has the public signed off on creating a stronger Europe in any country where it went to a direct vote; however, most of the votes have been legislative, where the moneyed interests can lobby more effectively.
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