Conservatives: A Eurosceptic Party?

The Conservative Party presented itself to the electorate at the last general election as a Eurosceptic party, yet reading the debate yesterday in the House of Commons on acceptance of the European External Action Service one could be forgiven for asking oneself: Really?

"That this House takes note of European Document Nos. 8029/10 and 11507/10, draft Council Decisions establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service; European Document No. 8134/10, draft Regulation on the Financial Regulations for the European External Action Service; and an unnumbered draft Regulation amending Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities and the conditions of employment of other servants of those Communities; and supports the Government's policy to agree to the Decision establishing the External Action Service at the Foreign Affairs Council in July 2010."

The list of those voting can be found on the next page in the above link, the motion for acceptance being passed by 321 votes with only 12 against.

Do read the list of Conservative MPs who tamely play their part as 'voting fodder'. The list of those MPs who voted against:

"Bone, Mr Peter
Carswell, Mr Douglas
Corbyn, Jeremy
Davies, Philip
Dodds, rh Mr Nigel
Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M.
Lucas, Caroline
Paisley, Ian
Reckless, Mark
Skinner, Mr Dennis
Tomlinson, Justin
Wilson, Sammy
 

Tellers for the Noes:
Mr Philip Hollobone and
Andrew Percy"

 Oh; and where were the remaining 317 MPs? If past performance is anything to go by, then take your pick of the many bars in the House.