First, it was Michael Gove. Next, it was Boris Johnson. Now, a slightly smaller political beast in the form of Bromley council has come out and backed Brexit. The South London council voted last night to say it believed Britain was better off out of Europe. It passed a motion saying:

“ This council agrees that the negative impacts that the European Union has upon the efficiency and costs of Bromley Council activities mean Bromley Council would be better off if Britain was out of the European Union

Bromley isn't the first council to back Brexit, with Havering having done the same at the end of January. But what's different about Bromley is that it's the first Conservative council in the country to do so.

In practice, the decision carries little weight. It is a referendum now after all, and it's unlikely that Bromley residents - or any other people who live in a borough that backs Brexit - are going to be swayed by councillors they've probably never heard of. It also speaks volumes that Ukip councillors both proposed the motion and then seconded it. But Bromley's decision could start a trend in other Conservative councils backing Brexit. In that sense, it shows that the debate is now wider open than it was before. The Prime Minister has enjoyed a relative level of control over the EU debate up until now. But if other Tory councils choose to back Brexit, it offers a small glimpse into the heart of a Conservative party which is very much divided over the issue of voting to stay put or leave the EU.

Of course, at the risk of being cynical, its also worth noting that the wording of the motion says the EU is to blame for 'negative impacts' on costs. With council tax rises expected to be happening over the coming months, it could just be that the European Union is too tempting a target not to blame for these.

REFERENDUM 2016: THE BATTLE AHEAD

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