THE last time the public had a chance to change Britain’s role in Europe was 41 years ago. The date for this year’s referendum, on June 23, is significant politically, for on that day in AD930, the world’s oldest parliament came into being in Iceland and paved the way for discussion instead of fighting.
Federations of countries based on trade and commercial links help unite peoples.
In this respect, the European project, emerging from the ashes of two world wars has proven remarkably resilient at a government level. It has expanded from its core, although the neutral Swiss at the centre still resist integration, as does Britain by retaining its currency.