Cameron gave one firm promise during his leadership campaign – that he would lead the Tories out of the EPP by Christmas 2006. That turned into 2009. At the time Guido thought it a telling breach of promise, in retrospect it looks like clever politics.

A largely united eurosceptic Tory party is going to finally make the break with the federalist EPP and take other like-minded parties with it into a euro-conservative grouping. This will enthuse the rank and file, make good Dave’s promise and undermine UKIP and Libertas, all in good time to make an impact on the June Euro elections. Labour will be looking to highlight splits – unless Clarke breaks his word they are unlikely to find any of significance.

So long as the Tories have the company of other governing parties from across Europe they will have succeeded.

Nigel Farage is threatening to sue the Sunday Times over the claim that he employed his student son, paying him out of EU funds. He admits to employing his wife on the EU gravy train but totally denies any gravy splashing on the boy.

Fingers are being pointed at Roger Knapman, the former UKIP leader, as the source of the story. The word is that he was on the phone to UKIP donors demanding Farage should be ousted on Saturday night. Cui bono?

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, the Better Off Out campaign is holding a Better Off IN reception (junket) tonight at the Old Bank of England from 7 until closing time. The theme is that politicians, not the people of Europe, are better off in the EU.

There will apparently be a gravy train, a wine lake, a butter mountain, a pig trough, porky pies and other entertainments. Philip Davies MP and Gerard Batten MEP will be launching the “London Declaration”, in response to the Berlin Declaration. The invite suggests that you wear anything you like – “anybody dressed as a fat cat politician or as a pig will be particularly welcome.” Guido will try doing his best to help reduce the wine lake.

More details here.