Norman Tebbit hits the nail on the head in his post Britain and the EU: time for a divorce. Maybe the Conservative Party could try listening to this very experienced politician. The Telegraph January 22nd 2010

Here are a few extracts

The English are, of course, a European nation, but we are different by virtue of our history from the others.

The right of a German or Frenchman to free speech is a grant by law - essentially an entitlement rather than a right. Here, it requires a law to set limits upon that right, which in this Kingdom is (I'm sorry Professor Dawkins) the God-given right of an Englishman or woman from birth.

The basic assumptions underlying the two systems of law, English Common law and European law, are such that they cannot exist side by side.

Nor is it just a matter of law. Our history has shaped our society to be different.

Churchill was right. We should wish European union well - so long as it does not seek to cross the Channel. Certainly I have no ill will towards our friends on the mainland, but I think it is time the British dog got out of the federalist manger. I could live happily on the mainland as a foreigner. I believe that we should have a treaty relationship with other European nations covering matters of mutual interest, but that our Parliament should remain fully sovereign.

Divorce is never easy, but it may be better than persisting in an unhappy marriage.

 This is why we can never be part of this supra-national government. 

(Norman Tebbit 22nd Jan, 2010
Lord Tebbit of Chingford is one of Britain's most outspoken conservative commentators and politicians. He was a senior cabinet minister in Margaret Thatcher's government and is a former Chairman of the Conservative Party. )