The anti-EU vote will be fragmented - until anti-EU Tories join UKIP.

Daniel Hannan makes an interesting case: that the Eurosceptic vote in Britain is fractured thanks to the competition between the Conservative Party and UKIP.

I do think much of what he says is wrong however. UKIP is not about 'Euroscepticism'. Euroscepticism really is a failed Tory doctrine that consists of mild bashing of the EU and talking about reform for decades as the thing moves towards federalism unabashed. Tory government after Tory government (Thatcher - Major - Cameron) has talked tough on the EU but effectively done what the project required of them.

That's the past. UKIP's rise shows that people want something else. They want out of the EU. No compromise. It is for this reason that I see the front bench of the Tory Party (which has banned any anti-EU politicians while consisting of Euro enthusiasts like Ken Clarke) having very little in common with the likes of Nigel Farage, or indeed Daniel Hannan himself.

The anti-EU movement is splintered, but I would argue that the splinter comes from Tory MPs and MEPs like Hannan refusing to join the Party whose manifesto matches their own beliefs. I mean honestly, Phillip Davies, Phillip Hollobone and the like have about as much business standing on a Tory manifesto as I do. It doesn't make sense.

So yes, lets unite all anti-EU, anti-open door immigration, pro-flat tax, pro-selective education people. But that unification should surely come under the Party whose manifesto already includes all of these things The Cameroons have taken over the Tory Party and drained it of conservatism just as Tony Blair destroyed any remnants of socialism within New Labour. Those who think the Conservatives will become a viable Eurosceptic Party in the future need to ask themselves if they are being realistic or simply wishful.