Well, since we classed ourselves as European even when we still had an empire, technically we're part of Europe. However, that's come to mean something different these days. From here on when I mention being part of Europe I mean as an entity interchangeable with the E.U (although I will mention the E.U seperately where I deem necessary).
Technically we are part of the E.U, but seeing as joining the E.U was done without consent (In 1973 we joined the EEC (Common Market) and when the EEC became the EU (a completely different entity indeed) we were not given the option of backing out, and we are still being denied a referendum on the subject), we may as well have been conquered).
@JanatUrlich: It's not racist at all, that's a massively narrow minded view. Just because I don't want to be subject to the European Union doesn't mean I go around picking fights with anyone who isn't caucasian. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against cultural diversity, but a) we have our own cultural identity that is seperate from the rest of Europe and b) why the hell should we suddenly bow to laws and regulations that have nothing to do with us? So France can stick it's fingers up at global politics and that's fine but when we want to keep some sense of identity it's suddenly racist? We've seen precious little benefit from joining the E.U so far, only devaluation of currency and the inability to make our own political decisions. If you woke up tomorrow and we were suddenly considered to be part of Russia and subject to their laws it'd be considered an invasion or at least a politic coup. We would have essentially been taken over. Now how is subjecting us to the whims of european law with only a hamstrung government to give some superficial semblance of independence any different from that? As I've stated, we the public did not consent to it, therfore it might as well have been a hostile takeover. Sure that's a melodramatic way of looking at it, but it holds true nonetheless and if I'm going to be called a racist for not wanting to lose my country's independence then I'm going to defend myself as strongly as I can.
On a more balanced note, I pretty much agree with Bema, there's a lot of good about Europe, but until it stays out of UK politics I don't feel that the benefits outweight the negatives, because frankly, we're not considered fully fledged members of Europe enough to see any benefit from what we pay in taxes to Brussels.
