Conservative MP’s spent their Friday at Westminster in a five hour debate on James Wharton’s EU referendum Bill. Labour were accused of “playing silly buggers” after a series of Labour MP’s gave lengthy speeches, intervened numerous times and even put their drama skills to the test by staging delays in the lobby of the House of Commons. Cameron and many Conservative MP’s support a Bill in the Commons aimed at the need for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union by 2017. However, dozens of Conservative MP’s defied the Prime Minister and have demanded for a referendum to be held before the 2015 election.

Adam Afriyie, who was tipped as a future Conservative Prime Minister and alongside the support of over 30 Tory MP’s, could potentially force a Commons vote to make sure Cameron holds a referendum next year (directly opposing James Wharton’s EU Bill). Afriyie pointed out that the public are “not convinced” Cameron will stick to his pledge to hold a referendum on Europe in 2017. Cameron’s referendum pledge cannot be made law in the form of a coalition government bill because of the Liberal Democrats opposition. Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg has said:

"I think the Conservative Party is wrong to be flirting with exit from the European Union. Hundreds of thousands, millions of jobs depend on our place in what is the world's largest border less single market."

Afriyie said that any delay, such as Labour’s attempts, in holding a referendum posed “significant dangers” and would enable UK Independence Party (UKIP) to build up support. UKIP have urged MP’s to back Afriyie’s proposed referendum next year, Nigel Farage, the leader of UKIP has said “I hope MP’s do what’s right, by voting to give the British people a say on the EU as soon as possible”.
During this exacerbating session, Conservative MP’s had to resort to using Twitter to express their frustration at the lack of progress in the Commons. MP’s must get through four groups of amendments at the Bill’s report stage, after the five hour debate, the House of Commons only agreed on one set of amendments. It looks like Labour MP’s have successfully slowed down the progress of the EU referendum Bill. Although most of voting was done by Conservatives, Labour MP’s did most of the talking in their delaying tactics. Miliband stated:

"The Conservative party talking to itself about Europe when actually what they should be doing is talking to the country about the most important issue that people are facing, which is the cost of living crisis"

The next day for the bill’s debate has been set to Friday 22nd November, the debate will pick up where it left off, and Afriyie’s amendment may potentially be put to a vote. If Wharton successfully gets his bill through its report stage and the third reading, it will go through to the House of Lords.