As the days roll on, and public opinion turns more and more against them, are the Tories getting more and more desperate? I refer, of course, to the speech from David Cameron promising an "in/out referendum" on the EU. But hold on.

This isn't as straightforward and honest as the tories would like it to appear. For a start, Cameron has already stated he wants to stay in the EU, and who can forget his "cast-iron guarantee" of a referendum that quickly went rusty?. Secondly, he is going to "try to negotiate differing terms" with the rest of the EU. About as much chance of that happening as me succeeding Barrack Obama in 2016.

Thirdly, and this is the joke of it, only when he has "succeeded" in twisting the arms of almost 30 other countries will the people be allowed any say. Allied to this, naturally, is "if the Conservatives win the next general election", thereby in a nutshell showing that he (and they) have no firm policies at all on Europe, and just want to retain power at all costs.

This speech, as most people are aware, would not have happened at all had it not been for UKIP rising strongly in the polls and showing up the Conservative party for the politically unprincipled bunch they have become.

David Pickles Deputy Chairman UKIP Sutton & Cheam branch.