It was with the noble aim of making war “not only unthinkable but materially impossible” that the European project was born. A historically riven continent has since enjoyed an unprecedented period of peace. The European Coal and Steel Community of 1951 has evolved into today’s European Union: an organisation and single market of 28 states and 508 million citizens. It is this unique institution – a force for stability, global governance and rules-based order – that the UK could leave on 23 June. It would be the first country to do so.
The referendum is not being held for reasons of principle. David Cameron reluctantly agreed to it in order to appease his recalcitrant backbenchers and the right-wing press, and to counter the threat of the UK Independence Party, which is, in essence, a single-issue pressure group that has been brilliantly led by Nigel Farage, no matter what you think of his politics. The ensuing campaign has distracted attention from the UK’s most pressing economic and social problems.
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