LATER this month MPs will debate whether to allow voters to decide if Britain should remain in the European Union (EU).

Right-wing Tories, whose blood boils at the mere mention of Brussels, are pushing for a so-called “in-out” referendum on the issue.

As someone who thinks the EU does far more good than harm, I hope these Euro-sceptic Conservatives get their way.

If there is a referendum on Britain’s place in the EU, let’s keep it simple and confront people with a stark choice: In or out, which is it to be?

Cynical readers may have guessed that I want a straight yes-no vote because I think my side would win.

Why the confidence, you might ask.

Former Scottish National Party MP Jim Sillars used to dismiss some of his compatriots as “90-minute nationalists” – people who would wave the flag for the duration of a football match at Hampden Park, but would never vote for their country to become independent.

In a similar vein, I believe there are millions of lunchtime little Englanders.

They tut as they chomp on their sandwiches and read another tale of “Brussels bureaucrats” meddling in British life.

But, if they actually had the chance to take the country out of the European Union, I believe most of these people would back down.

Hopefully we will find out if I’m right before too long.