The EU this morning orders Britain to pay a £1.7 billion “prosperity tax” within weeks, while France and Germany receive massive rebates. A continental source gloats to the Telegraph: “there is nothing Britain can do about it”. That isn’t true: Dave can refuse to pay, tell Brussels to deal with it and then see what they do. It’s our money, the PM has to say “no, no, no”.

https://twitter.com/DavidJonesMP/status/525528645327417344

The EU Budget demand proves Brussels just doesn't get! UK penalised for success – France gets rewarded for failure. Sums up problem with EU

— Mark Pritchard (@MPritchardMP) October 24, 2014

Ha, ha, ha.., EU demand for more money from UK a joke, right?

— andrew murrison (@murrisonMP) October 24, 2014

Nigel Farage is already on the case: “The EU is like a thirsty vampire feasting on UK taxpayers’ blood. We need to protect the innocent victims, who are us”. If the PM fails to make a stand immediately he can kiss goodbye to Rochester. Judging by the mood among Eurosceptic Tory MPs this morning that could be the least of his problems if Downing Street gives in and pays up…