New website
I am in the process of launching a new website, which I hope to be up and running shortly. I shall continue to put blogs up on this website, but I have discontinued my diary and other elements of this site. More details to follow.
Posted on 10 November 2012 by Richard Drax
Country first
Last night's vote on the EU budget was a victory for our country and our constituents. Sadly, it meant that I and 52 other Conservative colleagues had to defy the Government, which, in my view, was totally unnecessary. The Prime Minister only had to agree with the amendment, calling for a cut in the EU budget, rather than an inflation-proof freeze, which his Frontbench spokesman supported. For me and my fellow rebels, renegotiating the EU budget was an opportunity to draw a line in the sand, beyond which we were not prepared to go. As our own country faces austere times and accompanying cuts, how can we explain to our constituents that we should continue to give the EU more of our hard-earned money? I very much hope that Mr Cameron listens to the will of the House and goes in hard later this month when the EU budget is discussed. I am still aghast that anyone in their right mind can continue to support the idea of a federalist state when the evidence that it cannot work is so transparent. Will common sense ever prevail?
Posted on 1 November 2012 by Richard Drax