"Sovereignty" don't politicians love that word. I went on a two month tour through central europe shortly after the Berlin wall came down, and have been back for shorter periods since. What struck me was that a continent is in the throes of re-building itself whether the UK likes it or not. Some of the re-building is on a scale unimaginable in the UK.   This is a club no-one can expect to join on their own terms. Get in or be left out. the re-building of Europe is already happening on a gargantuan scale Anyone with money to invest is already over there in the enlarged EU. I'm sure a lot of the competion who would love to see the UK come up with a No vote in the referendum. I think Brits always see the problem, never vthe opportunity.


OK this is a household that speaks English French and German, has friends and relatives in both those countries, and reads 'foreign' newspapers. My Grandfather was Swiss and spoke and read in four languages that I am aware off.

Also having lived and worked in Mainland Europe, and would be off tomorrow if the opportunity arose, I find it rather difficult to see exactly what it is the Europhobes are so anxious to keep hold of in the UK.

I look at the rogues gallery that consitute the Europhobe faction, Rupert Murdoch for one, most of the current Conservative party, and I think to myself that if they hate it so much it's probably a bloody good thing for the rest of us.

SM