GP Taylor: After Cameron’s broken promises on Europe, the party’s over for me

It was neither glamorous nor trendy and was social suicide to be seen to want to advocate Conservative values. Most of my friends were flirting with socialism. They enjoyed the protest and it seemed to fit with student life.

Yet, for me, I had decided to leave the political affiliations of my working-class roots and become a Tory.

At the age of 15, I had already spoken at my first Conservative gathering and I even toyed with the idea of making politics my future.

Then came a career where I had to be seen to be politically neutral and I left Tory politics far behind, supporting them through giving and my vote at the ballot box.

Recently I decided to rejoin my local party, now having the time and the money to help where I could.

I had even been invited to meet with David Cameron and all the Tory grandees at an intimate gathering in Leeds.

I duly was introduced to the “leader” and given my allotted time in his presence.

Being an ex-copper, I have always gone on what is not said than what is said.

Even from the handshake (which was far from firm, quite foppish and lacking in Yorkshire welcome), I was slightly suspicious of Cameron. His body language was aloof and he nodded in all the wrong places as if he was thinking of other things and not the answer to the question he had just asked me.

I got the feeling that I was not of the right breeding and he wondered why I was there in the first place. But regardless of what I thought of the man, he was the elected leader and the one we hoped would bring an end to years of Labour rule and give Britain a brighter future.

The one clear thing I remember him saying is that he was a man of his word. Sadly, I now know that not to be the case.

It is not true because Cameron has broken the most important promise he has made to the British people at a time of European crisis.

His bully boys threatened democracy by harassing MPs into not voting last night for a referendum on Europe that more than 67 per cent of the British public want.

Cameron’s whips and those in the ivory tower of Downing Street threatened Tory rebels with losing their seats in Parliament, and never being promoted.

They have brought to an end the most important principle of democracy for any MP – that their conscience comes before their party. That has made the much-demanded vote on the EU a complete sham. Those who dared to vote against the Government will see their careers come to a sticky end.

This is not honest politics and it is not what the people of this country want.

There is a growing concern over the stupid laws that are being forced upon us by an ever-greedy EU.

Criminals can’t be deported but light bulbs can be outlawed, as Britain sends billions and billions into the stinking cesspit of the European financial arrangements.

Don’t be fooled. We have given £228bn to the EU and have only received £143bn in return. That is a deficit of £85bn.

Just think where that money could have been spent and what use it could have been put to – hospitals – police on the streets – children being educated.

No-one under the age of 55 has had the right to vote on whether or not they feel we should be part of a financial and political system that is teetering on the edge of collapse.

Cameron had an opportunity to put that right. He has failed and in the process done terminal damage to his reputation.

For that reason, I am a Tory no more. My membership is in the bin and the money I was going to give them this year will stay in the bank.

Cameron has had his chance and my love affair with the Tories is now sadly over.

What Cameron and Co should realise is that Yorkshiremen and women can stand many things, but never a politician who breaks his promises.