"There were 81 Conservative MPs who rebelled on the EU referendum issue last time, " he told BBC Two's Daily Politics programme.

BBC: EU referendum row: Tory rebels could get free vote

But speaking on the Today programme, the former Conservative leader Lord Howard insisted "there isn't going to be any further transfer of power" from the UK to Brussels so "the referendum issue doesn't arise".

BBC: Lord Howard: EU referendum 'beside the point'

So if you hear the U.K. government is bringing the referendum issue to a head you can guess that the U.K. is going to leave the EU. This exit will of course have hugely consequences.

FORBES: What If The U.K. Leaves Europe?