'In or out of the EU?' - a question to dominate the election

Europe – it's a subject that has divided the nation – and Parliament. Parliamentary correspondent DAVE TORRANCE takes a closer look.

FEW issues excite Conservative MPs any more than Europe.

The question of whether the UK ought to be in or out of the European Union has dominated this Parliament, and looks set to dominate the 2015 general election campaign too.

Last week the House of Commons unanimously backed a private member's bill designed to ensure an in/out referendum is held before the end of 2017.

Although the Prime Minister has already promised this (assuming he wins in 2015), many of his backbenchers believe voters needed further reassurance.

The debate was measured and civilised, free of what is often called "swivel-eyed" lunacy from fervent Eurosceptics, while Labour (not unreasonably) reminded the Conservative Party of a previous promise to stop "banging on about Europe".

Nevertheless it is clearly an important issue, not just for UK citizens (who are also EU citizens) but for businesses in North East Lincolnshire who currently enjoy an EU-wide market and thus free movement of people, goods and services.

In this respect, the European debate echoes that in Scotland over independence.

Some, such as UKIP, say the UK is hamstrung by being in the EU and would be better off out, while others, such as David Cameron, argue that Britain should remain in but on "renegotiated" terms.

The Coalition is also guilty of inconsistency. Having initially claimed that a referendum on Scottish independence would cause "uncertainty" in the business community, it now seems happy to endure even greater uncertainty by holding a ballot on EU membership.

But whether the latter referendum happens at all is a moot point.

Not only does it depend on the Conservatives winning an overall majority in two years' time, but the Liberal Democrats are opposed and Labour currently unsure of its stance – some of its MPs even want a European referendum sooner rather than later.

One of them is Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell, an opponent of EU membership since the 1970s. On that he finds himself in agreement with the Conservative MP for Cleethorpes, Martin Vickers.

Mr Mitchell, who joined the Labour For A Referendum Group, has spoken to the Telegraph on the issue extensively, and has said: previously told the Telegraph: "I'm in favour of leaving, and the group exists to demonstrate there are others in the Labour Party also in favour of leaving.

"Europe's in a mess and it's not going to get out of it.

"I don't see there's anything to be gained now by staying in – there are lots of disadvantages, such as overpriced food courtesy of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy, and so on."

Mr Vickers, following last week's vote, described the result as "great news"

He said: "Whichever side of the argument you are on, it's only right that the people should determine whether or not we have ever closer union and for the avoidance of doubt I will vote the same way as in 1975 – NO – the sooner we leave the better."

Opinion polls suggest the country at large is just as evenly divided.

What do you think? Should we be in or out of Europe, or as Cameron suggests, stay in, but on new terms?

Who do you agree with?