Some fear the leadership is simply hoping for events in Ireland to help them out of a hole. Philip Davies, the Conservative MP for Shipley, said: "We need to bring powers back from Europe but I don't think it's clear at the moment how we are going to do it. What happens if the Irish vote 'yes', which they probably will? That is when William Hague's problems begin. We are pinning our hopes on it not being ratified but it looks as if it will be so we desperately need a plan B. I don't think there is one."