The Battle of Waterloo

Whatever your knowledge of military matters, the name Wellington should come to mind at the mention of Waterloo. And what a splendid general he turned out to be although his most famous victory was not solely down to the courage and fortitude of Britons in their red tunics; he was in command of the armies of the Seventh Coalition. Nations across Europe had come together to confront the French and the expansionist policies of Napoléon Bonaparte.

Of course, the Battle took place just south of Brussels, which brings me neatly to my point as today the name Brussels is synonymous with the worst excesses of the EU, that is corruption and interfering legislation that has undermined our sovereignty. At least, that's what some of the media and Nigel Farage would have us believe.

But when it comes to weighing up the odds regarding the UK's membership of the EU, I suggest a good starting out point is to remember the blood of our ancestors spilt on European battlefields. The treaties that followed the battle of Waterloo were aimed at establishing a lasting, peaceful new order in Europe and were, to a large extent, successful. But Europe had not closed the door on its war-torn past and it's worth remembering that just 24 years ago a war in Slovenia marked the beginning of the break up of the former Yugoslavia. The phrase "united we stand, divided we fall" comes to mind.

However, the outcome of the referendum on EU membership will be based on more mundane matters than warfare and while negotiations on much needed reform are ongoing, I would be grateful if UKIP and Mr Farage would shut up. UKIP is busy campaigning against EU membership having brushed aside the possibility of renegotiation, which is just what I would expect from an ill-informed, non democratic, right-wing organisation.

Then there's John Redwood. It seems to me that his natural home is UKIP and I would be grateful if he would make the switch rather than remain a malevolent force in the Tory party. I also have a challenge for 1950s-style tweed-wearing back benchers - will any of them be affected by the wave of enhanced austerity that could follow a Brexit and do any of them care about the hundreds of thousands of British ex-pats living in Europe who are likely to see their residential status swept away, if we exit the EU.  

We have been a member of this remarkable club for 52 years and there have been benefits, so it strikes me that it is reasonable to take our grudges to the negotiation table and work wholeheartedly to solve the problems and engage other member states with similar concerns. Clearly there are issues about immigration policy that weigh heavily on the British public, and we certainly don't need any more EU expansionists at work, inviting the next goat-based economy to come on board.

If we are unsuccessful in our negotiations and Britons vote to quit, we should be under no illusions as to what that could mean. We are all familiar with Euromyths about straight bananas and EU legislation to restrict coffee drinking but we hear precious little about the fall-out from a Brexit, where no mythology is required. Is our trade with the EU likely to be damaged? Yes. Will sterling take a hit? Yes. Will remaining EU members feel betrayed and hostile? Yes. Will we have a voice when it comes to influencing them over fishing rights and the like? No. It would be like shouting our requests through the letterbox when the door is firmly shut.

But your opinions are welcome, whichever side of the fence you stand on .... or are in the middle of.