HERE’S AN INTERESTING PIECE IN THE SPECTATOR about Britain and Europe:

The question has to be asked, ‘Why does the UK have to pay the costs of the CAP [Common Agricultural Policy] and suffer the indignities of the CFP [Common Fisheries Policy] in order to be associated with a group of nations which are both economically unsuccessful and will take a diminishing share of its exports over the next few decades?’ It cannot be because Britain wants to participate in a common European defence and foreign policy, as the diplomatic shambles of recent weeks has discredited that option; it cannot be because Britain wants to abandon its currency and introduce the euro, as opinion polls show a decisive majority in favour of keeping the pound; and it cannot be because Britain wants to be absorbed into a European political superstate, as European federalism has been and remains unpopular at all levels.

The message has to be that — putting sentiment and treaty obligations to one side — the case for continued British membership of the EU is weaker today than it has ever been.

I wonder how many people in Britain are thinking this way now.