Mark Reckless suggested that as many as half of the 306-strong Parliamentary party – over 150 MPs - were privately in favour of Britain withdrawing from Europe.

Speaking on on the BBC’s Politics Show, the MP for Rochester and Strood, said the proportion was “probably quite similar to the country as a whole”, pointing to a recent YouGov poll which claimed 52 per cent of peple want to come out of Europe and 31 per cent stay in.

His comments came as David Cameron braces himself for the first test of his authority since 81 Conservative MPs defied the Whip to vote in favour of a referendum on Britain’s relationship with Europe. There was considerable anger within the Cabinet at Mr Cameron’s decision to force Conservative MPs to vote against motion using Parliament whips.

Next week MPs will debate plans to approve the EU’s budget and are expected to demand a vote, which would be another blow to Mr Cameron.

There were also suggestions that backbench MPs could try to pressure the Government to veto plans for new taxes to fund EU’s £900billion budget.

Philip Hollobone, another rebel MP, said: “Many backbenchers think that the seven-year EU budget is a good opportunity for the Government to use its veto if it does not get what it wants.”

Coalition tensions were stoked by a warning from deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg that it would be “economic suicide” for Britain to “retreat to the margins” of Europe.

He said opponents “relished the prospect of a unilateral raid on Brussels’ powers”, adding: “Being shoved to the margins, or retreating there voluntarily, would be economic suicide: a sure-fire way to hurt British businesses and lose jobs.”

George Eustice, a Tory MP who is leading a separate group arguing of the repatriation of powers, accused the deputy Prime Minister of being “too simplistic”.

He said: “He [Nick Clegg] is being too simplistic. If we want to get this country moving again we have got to lash regulations coming from the European Union.

“We have got to address this failing, rather than sweep it under the carpet.”

Mr Eustice said that he would support a debate on plans to approve the new European Union budget next week.

Andrea Leadsom, a Tory MP who is co-ordinating a new all party group calling reform to the EU, accused Mr clegg of being a troublemaker.

David Cameron, the Prime Minister, has ordered a cross-Whitehall review of Britain’s relationship with Europe.

Yesterday he insisted that rebalancing of powers was possible, but acknowledged that the Liberal Democrats could limit the extent of any shift.

He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “I would like to see further rebalancing but we are obviously going to have to act as a coalition.”

Meanwhile Tory Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt admitted there were differences between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems on Europe.

He said: “There are differences between the Liberal Democrat part of the coalition and the Conservative part.

“There is also a moment where there may be discussions about rebalancing powers and we will act in the national interest,” he told Sky News’ Murnaghan programme.

"Iron Clad" Dave is being read the riot act with respect to where the people of Great Britain stand...versus "policy".

Thank God for the Brits.

Check out Adam Holloway's MP take on the matter (he formerly of the UK's Special Forces, now sitting in Parliament):

www.adamholloway.co.uk

P.S. He actually answers his e-mail as well.

The tide has turned, Dewi.

This is just another case of do-nothing-Dave doing nothing, like McSnott and Bliar and Major and Thatcher, etc. before him. More smoke and mirrors blaming Clegg The Euroslime.

But take a look at the results of the vote and see who voted how. OK, we focus on how the Tories voted as if that is all that matters. 110 MPs in all voted 'for' the motion:

79 Tories, 19 Labour, 8 Democratic Unionists, 1 Liberal Democrat, the 1 one Green and the 1 Independent.

Now look at the 'againsts' - Yes, all the usual suspects in the big 3, but also 3 Plaid Cymru MPs, 3 Social Democratic and Labour Party MPs, 1 Alliance MP.

If you check the figures, you'll find that almost all Welsh MPs voted against. Why do you think that happened Dewi? Why not send your MP a letter asking him/her why he/she voted that way?

Here's a source giving all the details.

thereferist.wordpress.com . . .

Britain Out Of The EU Now !!!