Why those wanting an EU referendum shouldn’t pin their hopes on
Ed Miliband  January 17th, 2014  Last night I got into a little
Twitter discussion with Lord Ashcroft over Labour and an EU
referendum. He was articulating what is a widespread Tory view
that EdM will be forced ahead of the election to make a
commitment. It will become a politically difficult, they
believe, for him to avoid.  I’m not convinced for three reasons.
Firstly, as the polling shows Europe is less of an issue for LAB
voters than any other segment. Indeed on the issues facing “you
and your fmily” just 3% of LAB voters name it.  Secondly Those
close to Miliband have been reported saying that he would not
want his first term as PM to be so dominated by such a
referendum.  Thirdly, why should Labour do anything to close
down an issue that has been so corrosive to Tory fortunes over
more than two decades? Far better to keep it alive so the blues
remain split.  Mike Smithson  Ranked the 33rd most influential
person aged 50+ on Twitter