Surferbeetle,
The last sentence from the FT article provides the context for my comments:In 1975 I happily voted to remain a member of the European Economic Community (EEC). Somehow the European political elite converted this idea to a single market, with an explosion in bureaucracy and rules - which of course needed a state-like structure, with a parliament, court and more. This structure then became a federal Europe, the European Union (EU).Nonetheless, today’s EU is vastly different from the one the UK joined in 1973, or indeed the one Britons voted to stay in when they were last given a chance to express their views in a referendum in 1975.
The EU being democratic oddly forgot to give everyone a chance to vote in national referenda on this decision. Those few national electorates that had the chance to decide and voted 'no' had to hold a second vote to get it right! IIRC Denmark and Ireland.
The European political elite have failed to persuade most voters IMO that the EU - which is a federal state - is necessary, even preferable. Along came the recession plus further weakening public belief in politicians.
In the UK the Conservatives in opposition promised a referenda, but once in coalition with the very pro-EU Lib-Dems David Cameron forgot.
Now I regret voting 'Yes' in 1975, if asked today I would vote 'No'.
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