Shifting blame.

Now I have no idea what "Call me Dave" is going to say today (other than no referendum as alluded to by Hague yesterday on Sky News) There is a definite shift amongst Tories to try and blame Labour for Lisbon (and yes they are culpable) and to make it out as if Cameron has no choice.They also point out that what Cameron said to The Sun only referred to if Lisbon was not ratified or if an election happened before this. Indeed there does seem to be some sort of misunderstanding going around about what he said in his "Cast Iron" guarantee, but it's only by those seeking to defend Cameron in the growing storm.

"Today, I will give this cast-iron guarantee: If I become PM a Conservative government will hold a referendum on any EU treaty that emerges from these negotiations. No treaty should be ratified without consulting the British people in a referendum."

Now ask yourself, where does he say "if there is an early election"?

Where does he say "unless it is already ratified"?

He doesn't of course and this is where if he isn't careful the very annoyed and feeling totally betrayed bloggers (and possibly the public as well as EUsceptic Tories) will go for his jugular. Call me Dave's  had a bit of an easy ride mostly because he's in opposition (and relatively harmless) plus Labour are by far the easier target as they self-destruct over various broken promises, social engineering ploys and economic mismanagement. But if Cameron were to break a cast iron promise today then he's no better than the man he hopes to replace politically speaking, he'll be known as a man who wont keep his word, not can't, but wont.

So whatever Cameron comes up with today (and it had better be good) he'd best remember the words of Clint Eastwood in the film "The Outlaw Josey Wales"

Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining!

He either keeps his word or he doesn't, but by God he'd better not try to spin it to look like he always meant it to go this way.