Michael (Lord) Howard thinks not. So do many other euro sceptics and even some who are pro EU. This blog disagrees. It is one thing for the Opposition to wander down separate ways; it can afford the luxury of prejudice dressed as conscience or whatever. But not the Government. We all know the Tory party is split on an issue of critical importance to our country and that it cannot speak with one voice on anything connected with Europe and especially not whether we should stay or go. But constitutionally the government is separate from parliament, even if its ministers are drawn from its membership. And the public have a right to expect the government to lead, not as a fractured entity facing both ways but as a single unit backing the prime minister.
Wilson tried the indulgence of letting his ministers behave like back benchers last time. It wrecked the cohesion of his government which nearly wrecked the country, hastened his own resignation and certainly wrecked the Labour party. So this time round Cameron has one course only. Back me or go. He could be clever and reshuffle his cabinet at the end of the negotiations before he calls the referendum, thus setting the sceptics free, but on his terms.