Miliband has called Cameron’s backbenchers “barking” and accused the party of having a “collective nervous breakdown” about tonight’s vote. Tactful short-termism from a leader who has missed the chance to speak for middle-England. The words look even sillier given that one Labour source suggests that up to thirty of Ed’s own side are preparing to call for a referendum. Other sources, closer to the leadership, spin that they are expecting less than fifteen…

Even if it’s half way between the two, the current media narrative that this is just a “Tory splits” story is starting to look a little sloppy.