---

European Union Bill

The decision in favour of going to war was made with Conservative support. In the end, we are accountable not to the Whips. Clearly, we have a party system, and we are elected as party politicians, which I understand. By and large, on most things, we are guided by the Whips, but on some matters of fundamental principle, such as giving further powers to the EU or going to war, we must say, ““What I believe and what I believe my electorate want is more important even than what the Whips advise.”” I hesitate to say that while my Front-Bench colleagues are listening, but in the end, we must occasionally take a stand.