Were the United Kingdom to secede from the European Union, it would have abandoned a policy which, for the last 400 years, has sought to avoid a continent dominated by a single European power. Spain and France have fallen under this heading. After Germany’s unification in the 19th century until 1945, fear of German domination of the continent exercised the minds of British statesmen. It is a basic aspect of Britain’s national interest.

If the UK secedes from the European Union, we shall have ensured German domination, (notwithstanding Germany’s recent democratic credentials), and, in so doing, we would have done something very damaging both to this country and to our European neighbours.

The UK is a historically stable, democratic anchor that does its bit to ensure that Europe will not again fall into the hands of unpleasant extremist parties. It is, at every level, of immense importance to the UK that the continent, of which we are off-shore islands, should remain firmly anchored to decent, democratic principles. If we secede, we do not do a good turn to the “good” European Germans by absenting ourselves from the inner counsels of the EU.
(adapted from a letter by Sir Jeremy Lever, QC, All Souls College, Oxford)

When I was growing up Britain, still with the remains of an empire, was extraordinarliy outward looking and well informed on foreign affairs. The opposite is now the case. The British know most about TV personalities and sportsmen.

Citizens of Istanbul, surrounded by the detritus of empire, have a word “huzun”, which indicates communal melancholy about their lives and surroundings. Reading about the possibility of exiting the EU, I understand the meaning of “huzun”.

Epicureans believe in cooperation at every level of life. Leaving the EU would be a disaster brought about by ignorance and xenophobia.