Northamptonshire MPs say ministers should get free vote on Europe

Northamptonshire MPs have told ITV News Anglia that minister should be given a free vote in the forthcoming In-Out referendum on Europe.

The last time Britain had a referendum on Europe back in 1975 government ministers were allowed to campaign on different sides of the argument and many MPs across our region believe that should be the case this time round as well.

But Monday morning's headlines reported that David Cameron had indicated MPs would lose their ministerial jobs if they do not take the Government line in the referendum campaign. By lunchtime Downing Street said the Prime Minister has been misinterpreted and was talking about collective responsibility during the renegotiation process rather than the referendum campaign.

Wellingborough MP Peter Bone said: "Where people feel very strongly on both sides of the issue then people should have to campaign according to their conscience."

So we do not yet know if ministers will be allowed to campaign for a No vote even if the Prime Minister is fronting the 'Yes' campaign.

Both the Wellingborough MP Peter Bone and the Corby MP Tom Pursglove say they believe if Ministers are not happy with a renegotiated position in Europe then they should be allowed to vote 'No'.