All the talk of the new Tory leader taking the Conservative MEPs out of the Christian Democrat group in the European Parliament seems to ignore the fact that most of their MEPs want to stay. And I was told recently by one of the Tories that the decision is a joint one. The new leader will find his authority challenged right from the beginning if he tries to impose it from above.

Most Tory MEPs realize, of course, that they have far more power and influence (and money!) as one of the largest components of the largest Group than they would as a small maginalised fringe Group with few allies. But don't underestimate the death wish of the modern Conservative party!