If there was one thing we learned from the Conservative Party Conference last week it is that the Tories are still deeply divided over Europe.

My local MP, Conservative Philip Davies, led the anti-EU cheerleading during a packed Better Off Out fringe meeting, a group which exists solely to campaign for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Just a day after Davies had denounced the EU, Hague spelt out Conservative Party policy on Europe in his speech.

He said: “Others condemn the EU in its entirety. But as we champion a new vision for Europe and make great friendships among its newest members, it would be extraordinary for us to turn our backs on them and myopic to advocate withdrawal. I am as convinced as ever that our place is to be in Europe.”

With such a disparate range of views on the EU, and the Conservatives desperate to put on a show of unity, it was no surprise that Cameron remained silent on the issue, though he did win praise from Davies for allowing the sceptics to air their anti-EU rhetoric.

There is also some intrigue behind Nicolas Sarkozy’s appearance – or lack of it – at the conference. Sarkozy, the favourite to become the French presidential candidate for the centre-right, was due to speak in Bournemouth but in the end addressed the conference by video on the big screen.

David Rennie informs us on his blog that many (well-connected) people believe that Cameron told Sarkozy not to mention the EU in his speech and consequently the Frenchman refused to travel to the south coast. Martin Kettle of the Guardian blames Sarkozy’s absence on the Tories’ refusal to work alongside the Gaullists in the EPP – which if true will be some indication as to just how isolated the Tories will be in parliament and Europe in general should they leave the EPP. After all, the Gaullists are not federalists and traditionally support the primacy of national governments in EU deision-taking.

Some claimed that the Conservative Party Conference a success and David Cameron indeed produced a polished speech which, though with no actual policy, embraced some traditional Tory taboos (gay marriage and single parents for instance). However, he steadfastly ignored the one issue the Tories are no closer to resolving: Europe.