Rebel MPs rock the boat during EU referendum vote

Prime Minister David Cameron may have won the vote in Parliament last night, but he could face a difficult four years by rebel Conservative MPs.

Mr Cameron comfortably defeated a motion tabled by Conservative MP David Nuttall, which called for a referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU, leave it or renegotiate its membership. The Commons debate was prompted after a petition was signed by more than 100,000 people.

A total of 483 MPs from across the parties fell in line with party whips to oppose the motion but 81 Conservative MPs, along with 30 other ministers, decided to vote in favour of bringing about a public vote and ignoring the threat of facing serious consequences by defying the three-line whip, which means that any MP who voted against the government would be expected to resign from their government job.

A Downing Street spokesman said those who voted for the motion felt very strongly, and their views were respected.

"However, the government has to do what is in the national interest. The easy thing to do would have been for us to have avoided expressing a view. It was important to take a strong lead - because Britain's best interests are served by being in the EU."

Mr Cameron insisted that this was the wrong time to have a debate on the EU because of the crippling debt which has engulfed many countries in the Eurozone.

But his tactics have infuriated many of his Eurosceptic colleagues, who say he has simply stored up trouble for the future.

Mr Cameron did have some support for his stance from Labour leader Ed Miliband, who said,

"At this moment of all moments, the uncertainty that would ensue from Britain turning inwards over the next two years, to debate an in-out referendum is something our country cannot afford. The best answer to the concerns of the British people about the concerns of the European Union is to reform the way it works, not to leave it."

David Nuttall MP though forsees troubling times for Mr Cameron and added that those who had opposed a referendum "may be smiling today" but not for long.

Picture: PM David Cameron