Leaping nimbly from Bournemouth to Strasbourg, I had the pleasure last night of being the guest speaker at the dinner of the British Chamber of Commerce, where I was flattered to see that the Conservatives had sent no fewer than 9 MEPs to counter me with the odd heckle and questions from the floor.

"Chatham House rules" preclude me from revealing which ones said what, but it was fun to tease them by referring to the "Alternative Treaty" published by their leader in the EP, Tim Kirkhope MEP and warmly endorsed by William Hague, which retains almost all of the practical changes contained in the Reform Treaty. It was interesting to see how they disagreed among themselves with some of them welcoming specific reforms, such as the longer-term presidency of the European Council or the new provisions for involving national parliaments, while others felt they had to oppose them (at least in public). Tory divisions on Europe remain spectacular, with views ranging from secret support for the Reform Treaty to those who support British withdrawal from the EU.