Officially pointless to vote UKIP

[d000hg]

unfortunately this rings true

This is rather more important. Look what SNP have done to Labour following the "vow betrayal"... that would happen to the Tories if they didn't hold a referendum, it would be suicide for the next GE.

[Avalonia]

would be suicide for the next GE

The Euro project is much more important than their "death"

[Euler]

Because they might lose.

Who is they?
There are plenty of Tories who would like to "lose" a referendum.
If Dave doesn't do it they will rebel.

[Avalonia]

And then what? The can is kicked down the road a bit longer and the ratchet tightens a bit more.

[DodgyAgent]

Who is they?
There are plenty of Tories who would like to "lose" a referendum.
If Dave doesn't do it they will rebel.

There is no reason to suppose that they will not have a referendum unless they are part of a coalition the junior partners of which will block it.

[TheFaQQer]

Why not?

Because the coalition / confidence and supply / vote-by-vote partner might not vote the right way to get the bill through parliament, and Cameron isn't going to get a majority.

Edit - I feel dirty now for posting the same thing as DA

[Euler]

There is no reason to suppose that they will not have a referendum unless they are part of a coalition the junior partners of which will block it.

Because the coalition / confidence and supply / vote-by-vote partner might not vote the right way to get the bill through parliament, and Cameron isn't going to get a majority.

Edit - I feel dirty now for posting the same thing as DA

So the answer to the kippers is vote Tory, give them a majority and let them have a referendum.
If they have a majority and don't have a referendum never vote for them ever again - although I don't believe that will happen since there is a small but powerful Tory clique who will force it.
As a Tory who believes in staying in Europe, I also believe in democracy and that the people should decide.
I wouldn't vote for them again if they didn't have one if they could.

[d000hg]

I'm not sure if other parties have said an EU referendum is a deal-breaker for cosying up to the Tories? I know most parties are pro-EU but then all major parties were pro-union and they had that referendum knowing they were allowed to argue their case. Even Dave wants to remain in the EU so agreeing to a referendum might not seem that big a concession for other pro-EU leaders if they're sure the referendum will go the 'right' way.

[MicrosoftBob]

The Tories promises a referendum, but like any of Daves cast iron guarantees they're about as useful as Milliband in a bacon sarnie eating competition

Neither Labour or the Tories have really fought our corner in Europe, you have to go back to see someone who isn't spineless

UKIP aren't the answer, but until the wonks in power change protest is the only power we have

[Euler]

UKIP aren't the answer, but until the wonks in power change protest is the only power we have

Protest will give you a Labour government with no refrendum.
Now I don't trust politicians either, but I don't think Dave will be able to get away with not having one, if he has a majority.
He's had to promise it, not because of UKIP, but because of the strong clique in the Tory party who are against the EU.
They won't stand for his ( or any successor) renegeing on it.