I don't think you're correct in this, Nigel. In Ireland tampons are now zero-rated.
Then they are acting against the dictates of the EU. According to Parliament UK while the EU are discussing liberalising their stance on this no date for implementation has been given.

If you have information on why ebooks can't be zero-rated under EU rules I'd be interested to read about that. All I can find is an EU vote that ebooks can be zero-rated.
Similarly your link about changing the VAT rules on e-books merely gives details of the intention of the EU to make a change. It has yet to happen.