THE REFERENDUM IN 1959 the Stockholm Agreement saw Britain together with Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal and Sweden form the European Free Trade Association, or EFTA (the Outer Seven).

In due course this organisation proved ineffectual in competition with the European Economic Community (the Inner Six).

Towards the end of 1959 and early 1960 the UK Government became alarmed at the rapid economic advances made by the EEC in comparison with its own performance and in 1960 sought to join this organisation.

Some of the the reasons for joining were:

- We were no longer a large global power

- Growing independence of the empire, who felt less loyalty to Britain

- Special relationship with US very strained following Suez;

- EFTA didn’t work; p Balance of trade worst for ten years;

- Britain falling behind Europe in terms of growth and felt the communities high tariffs could help.

Unfortunately the application was vetoed in 1963 by the French, under Charles de Gaulle, who felt that Britain’s interests lay elsewhere. It was again vetoed in 1967 and in 1972 our third application was successful after Georges Pompidou became the French President.

We joined as a full member in 1973 after leaving EFTA. Denmark and Ireland also joined at this time, and 1986 saw Portugal become a member followed in 1995 by Austria and Sweden all having firstly resigned from EFTA.

Since becoming a member we have prospered greatly – we are a leading member of what is now the world’s largest trading block.

We promoted the single market in the 1980s and 1990s. Our special relationship with the US has been restored and Britain has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, faster than Norway and Switzerland.

It would be foolish to leave the EU and put our prosperity and world influence at risk for the sake of a gamble in the dark.

BRIAN AXE Mallards Way, Langford Village