Conservative activists right to be angry, says Tory MP

THE furious reaction from grassroots Conservatives to David Cameron’s suggestion that their views on Europe should be ignored is “understandable”, James Cleverly, a rising star among Tory MPs, has said.

His comments yesterday are the first public defence of the associations by a Tory MP.

Mr Cameron is facing a growing revolt from grass roots Tories outraged that he has ordered MPs to ignore their views on Europe. More than 40 Conservative associations accused him of showing “disrespect” to those who campaigned tirelessly last year to deliver him a majority at the election.

Mr Cameron last week told his MPs they should not decide how to vote in the referendum “because of what your constituency association might say” but to “do what’s in your heart”, rather than what “might be advantageous”.

On the Murnaghan programme on Sky News, Mr Cleverly, a Eurosceptic who entered Parliament as MP for Braintree last May, said: “I can understand why that has ruffled feathers – there has always been friction between the party leadership and the party grass roots.” Peter Bone MP, one of the Tory leaders of the Grassroots Out campaign, attempted to be conciliatory, telling the programme that Mr Cameron might have “misspoke” when he made the comments during a two-hour question and answer session.

In the letter to The Sunday Telegraph, the Conservative associations said Mr Cameron had “undermined” the goodwill that existed among loyal members and warned him: “No prime minister has a divine right to rule.” The letter was signed by 44 chairmen, executives, former chairmen and Tory activists, who represent 43 local party associations across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Some Tories believe furious activists will be driven into the arms of the UK Independence Party.

Three public debates involving the Prime Minister, the two “In” and “Out” campaigns and business leaders should be held before the EU referendum, a former Labour trade minister has said.

Lord Jones of Birmingham said the audience should be able to grill the leaders. Mr Cameron is under pressure to agree to a debate. The Telegraph, YouTube and Buzzfeed are offering to co-host a debate in the vote run-up.