Thread by @verumandverus

THREAD (In Progress)

Over the years a lot has been said about the UK’s relationship with Europe/EEC/EU. So much of it has been out of earshot of the electorate. Here is just some of what has been said /1

#ThePoliticiansKnewAllAlong

Our involvement with Europe has introduced into our politics a culture of deceit which is quite new in our history - Christopher Booker 2001 /2

A day will come when we shall see the United States of America and the United States of Europe face to face, reaching out for each other across the seas - Victor Hugo 1849 /3

We must create an EEA through common customs treaties. All members will be formally equal but in practice under German leadership and must stabilise Germany’s dominance over central Europe - Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg 9/9/1914 /4

We see nothing but good & hope in a richer, freer, more contented European commonality. But we have our own dream and our own task. We are with Europe, but not of it. We are linked but not compromised. We are interested and associated but not absorbed - Churchill 15/2/1930 /5

Europe must federate or perish - Clement Attlee 8/11/1939 /6

No Govt dependent on a democratic vote could agree in advance to the sacrifice any adequate plan must involve. The British people must be led slowly & unconsciously into the abandonment of their traditional economic defences. They must not be asked - Peter Thorneycroft 1947 /7

Anti-European feeling is a commonplace of British thought. Everyone has relatives in the US and Canada. Most have no one in Europe except the dead of two wars - A Labour Minister 1949 /8

There is no way Britain could accept the most vital economic forces of this country should be handed over to an authority which is utterly undemocratic and responsible to nobody - Clement Attlee 1950 /9

Through the consolidation of basic production & the institution of a new High Authority, whose decisions will bind France, Germany & the other countries that join, this proposal represents the first concrete step towards a European federation - Schuman Declaration May 1950 /10

In this challenging time we are naturally encountering difficulties. They are the birth pangs attending the creation of a United States of Europe - Jean Monnet 30/4/1952 /11

Gentlemen, you are trying to negotiate something you will never be able to negotiate. If negotiated, it will not be ratified, and if ratified, it will not work - Russell Bretherton 1955 /12

To confer a sovereign state's treaty-making powers on an international org is the first step to the fully federal state - Lord Kilmuir 1960 /13a

The proposition that every treaty entered into by the UK does to some extent fetter our freedom is plainly true - Lord Kilmuir 1960 /13b

It would in theory be possible for Parliament to give automatic force of law to existing or future regulations made by the Community. This would go far beyond the most extensive delegation of powers even in wartime we have experienced - Lord Kilmuir 1960 /13c

After Qualified Majority Voting comes into force the Council of Ministers could eventually make regulations which would be binding on us even against our wishes - Lord Kilmuir 1960 /13d

There is no precedent for our final appellate tribunal being required to refer questions of law to another court. Such a proposal must inevitably detract from the independence and authority of our courts – Lord Kilmuir 1960 /13e

And we hope within a few years Europe will be one country – Delegate at the Euro Coal & Steel Community conference 1960 /14

They are really giving Germany on a plate what we fought two world wars to prevent – Harold MacMillan 1961 /15

In short, the nature, the structure, the very situation (conjuncture) that are England’s differ profoundly from those of the continentals - Charles De Gaulle 14/1/1963 /16a

What England has done across the centuries is recognised as immense. Britain’s glorious participation in the victory of WW1, we French will always admire it. For the role England played in the decisive moments of WWII, no one has the right to forget it - De Gaulle 14/1/63 /16b

The destiny of the free world & first of all ours & even the US and Russia, depended in large measure on the resolution, solidity & courage of the English, as Churchill was able to harness them. Even now no one can contest British capacity & worth - De Gaulle 14/1/63 /16c

The Common Agricultural Policy was the main obstacle, because, unless it was changed, it would have a most serious and damaging effect on Commonwealth imports and upon our balance of payments - Harold Wilson Aug 1965 /17

(EEC) membership was an aim, provided essential British and Commonwealth interests are safeguarded - Harold Wilson March 1966 /18

Britain has shown deep seated hostility towards European construction and London shows a lack of interest in the Common Market and would require a radical transformation before joining the EEC - De Gaulle 27/11/1967 /19

There is the Common Market, and for us, there is no problem. For you, there is one: you want to get in, and that is your problem - De Gaulle 1967 /20

There will be no blueprint for a federal Europe – Ted Heath 1970 /21

It would not be in the interests of the Community that its enlargement should take place except with the full-hearted consent of the Parliaments and peoples of the new member countries - Ted Heath May 1970 /22

There is no question of Britain losing essential sovereignty - Ted Heath June 1971 /23

no British Government could possibly take this country into the Common Market against the wish of the British people - Ted Heath Oct 1971 /24

The Common Market countries are going along with Britain's unofficial request that they should not reach a common negotiating position over access to fishing waters until after the parliamentary vote on E.E.C. entry on 28/10/1971 - The Guardian /25

We have warned what it means for the right hon. Gentleman, by whatever subterfuge, to take a divided, embittered people into Europe. Let him seek the mandate he claims by submitting all his policies, to the free vote of a free British people - Harold Wilson 28/10/1971 /26a

Is it proper the last chance the British public should have to pass judgment on this question of entry into the Common Market should have been in the election of June 1970. Is it fair to the electorate that that should have been the last chance? - Michael Foot 28/10/1971 /26b

It ought to be of great concern to the PM that whatever Parliament decides the Govt has failed to convince public opinion on the desirability of entry. Despite the massive publicity campaign the Govt mounted, the people continue to say No - James Callaghan 28/10/1971 /26c

We must face the fact there is not much positive support in the country as we should like. Those of us who think it right to go into the Common Market can take great comfort from the fact we are undoubtedly supported by the majority of the young Anthony Buck 28/10/1971 /26d

Despite changes in party political complexion, for over 10 yrs there's been a substantial majority in the House of Commons in favour of joining the EEC, and that notwithstanding very clear evidence of public doubts and opposition - Duncan Sandys 28/10/1971 /26e

What opportunity has he given the people to express their view? Parliament will express its view tonight, but what about the people who have been given that promise? Among all his dishonoured promises this will be regarded as the most savage - William Molloy 28/10/1971 /26f

The question of sovereignty has been deliberately under-played by the Govt. The effect of the reduction of the role of this House has been very much under-estimated, This House will not be the same when we get into the Community - William Hamilton 28/10/1971 /27

The Treaty of Rome is not a normal treaty, it is forever-no limit of time and no right of withdrawal. Parliament would no longer be sovereign, the law & practice of Britain would be subordinate to the law & practice of Brussels - Sir Derek Walker Smith 28/10/71 /28

The occasion is historic because, with an affirmative decision, Parliament will take the first step in the long centuries of our history in stripping itself of its power of independent decision over a large sector of our national life - James Callaghan 28/10/1971 /29

Britain's constitution, as we politicians understand and know it, is one of the greatest things we can take into Europe or any other continent. The terrible paradox is that by going into the E.E.C. we shall destroy it for ourselves - William Molloy 28/10/1971 /30

I believe in a federal Europe, and I want to see far greater political co-operation - Jeremy Thorpe 28/10/1971 /31

I am voting for entry into the Communities for the one very simple reason that I believe our entry is a small but very necessary step towards an eventual European political unity - Ivor Richard MP 28/10/1971 - /32

What we should do would be immediately to give notice that we could not accept the unacceptable burdens arising out of the CAP, the blows to the Commonwealth, and any threats to our essential regional policies - Harold Wilson 28/10/1971 /33a

Re the CAP the Govt will find they have misled our people on this matter. In the interests of French agriculture, M. Pompidou has successfully denied us access to food cheaply and efficiently produced by NZ, Australia, the US and other countries - James Callaghan 28/10/1971 /33b

Is it not the case that we give net to the budget four times as much as Germany, which has a gross national product 50% higher than ours? - Denis Healey 28/10/1971 /34

50% of economists say it would be a damned good thing if we went in and 50% say it would be a damned good thing if we stayed out; it would be a damned good thing if 100% of them kept their mouths shut - William Hamilton 28/10/1971 /35

If we turn our back on Europe now, we turn our back on it for decades. The shock will be traumatic. Those who vote against the Motion want to remain the littlest of Little Englanders - Reginald Maudling, (Home Sec) 28/10/1971 /36

I can't see how you can have a common currency without having a common government - Reginald Maudling Oct 1972 /37

There are some in this country who fear in going into Europe we shall sacrifice independence and sovereignty, even that we shall begin to lose our national identity. These fears, I need hardly say, are completely unjustified and exaggerated - Ted Heath Jan 1973 /38

Yesterday the latest opinion poll on the Common Market suggested 38% were happy to join while 39% were not - The Guardian 1/1/1973 (the day the UK joined the EEC) /39

I am the first and last president of an independent Irish Republic - Eamon de Valera 1/1/1973 /40

A profound mistake by the Heath Govt to accept terms of entry to the Common Market, and to take us in w/out the consent of the British people. This has imposed food taxes on top of rising world prices & a draconian curtailment of power of Parliament - Labour Manifesto 1974 /41

(Re the 1975 referendum) I would deplore a situation in which the policy of this great country should be left to housewives. It should be decided by trained and informed people - Jean Rey 1974 /42

This referendum is wholly consistent with parliamentary sovereignty. Govt will be bound by its result, but Parliament can't be bound by it. Altho one would not expect Members to go against the wishes of the people, they will remain free to do so - Edward Short 11/3/1975 /43

A referendum would make government truly accountable to the electorate - Tony Benn 1975 /44

The referendum is a device of dictators and demagogues - Margaret Thatcher 1975 /45

The Treaties make no provision for withdrawal, because it is intended that the EEC should be a permanent organisation. However, if a member wanted to leave, there would be neither power nor desire to prevent it - Tory Party Guide to Referendum 1975 /46a

As for the allegation Britain will eventually be submerged in a European super state, neither in the Rome Treaty nor in any other basic Community document is there any commitment to work towards the creation of a European super state - Tory Party Guide to Referendum 1975 /46b

Any move towards QMV on important issues in the Council of Ministers is most unlikely to come in the near future and would itself require the unanimous consent of all member states - Tory Party Guide to Referendum 1975 /46c

Bef we joined the Govt forecast we should enjoy: a rise in living standards; a trade surplus with the Market; Higher productivity & investment; More employment; Faster industrial growth. In every case the opposite is happening, according to Govt figures - No Campaign 1975 /46d

I ask you to use your vote. For it is your vote that will now decide. The Govt will accept your verdict. Now the time has come for you to decide. The Govt will accept your decision, whichever way it goes - Harold Wilson 1975 /47

I've worked for this for 25 years, I was the prime minister who led Britain into the community and I'm naturally delighted the referendum is working out as it is - Ted Heath 6/6/1975 /48

It was a free vote, without constraint, following a free democratic campaign, conducted constructively and without rancour. It means that 14 years of national argument are over - Harold Wilson 1975 /49

When the British people speak everyone, including members of Parliament, should tremble before their decision and that's certainly the spirit with which I accept the result of the referendum - Tony Benn 6/6/1975 /50

There is no danger of a single currency – Ted Heath 1975 /51

The House of Lords must go - not be reformed, not be replaced, not be reborn in some nominated life-after-death patronage paradise, just closed down, abolished, finished (Future Lord) Neil Kinnock 19/11/76 /52

It has been suggested by some people in this country that I and my Govt will be a “soft touch” in the Community. In case such a rumour may have reached your ears, Mr Chancellor, it is only fair that I should advise you frankly to dismiss it - Margaret Thatcher 10/5/79 /53

Britain cannot accept the Budget situation. It is demonstrably unjust & politically indefensible: I cannot play Sister Bountiful to the Community while my own electorate is asked to forego improvements in health, education, welfare & the rest - Margaret Thatcher 18/10/79 /54

The accession of Greece to the European Community is one of the most encouraging developments on the European scene in recent years, both for the Community and Greece itself - Lord Trefgarne 27/11/79 /55

There's considerable latent opposition within the Community to Iberian enlargement. France is the most hostile, the Benelux countries reluctant & Italy uncomfortably torn between Latin solidarity & the rivalries of Mediterranean agriculture - Roy Jenkins 1979 /56

The rhetoric on Western democratic ideals gradually gave way to heated discussions on the price of peaches and olive oil - Loukas Tsoukalis 1979 /57

The CAP means the UK makes a heavy net contribution. The proportion of budget devoted to agriculture is now 70%. In Britain we have a mechanised, up-to-date farming industry & we have to support small, part-time, uneconomic farming within the EEC - Lord Campbell 27/11/79 /58

The decision-making capacity of the Community will hardly be improved by an increase in the number of points of view which will need to be reconciled. Adding 3 new languages, moreover, could cause serious practical difficulties - Lord Trefgarne 27/11/79 /59

problems were legion incl paralysed decision-making, weak Commission, CAP out of control, new French president (Mitterrand) & new British PM (Thatcher) who insisted on budget compensation, a subject that dominated the next 5 yrs & the following 15 summits - Desmond Dinan /60

We are not asking for a penny of Community money for Britain. What we are asking for is a very large amount of our own money back, over and above what we contribute, which is covered by our receipts from the Community. I want my money back! - Margaret Thatcher 30/11/79 /61

our full membership of the EC as a Region is inadequate and unworkable along with our self-determination established through our Home Rule - Moses Olsen (Greenland) 19/5/82 /62

We'll negotiate withdrawal from the EEC which has drained our natural resources and destroyed jobs - Tony Blair 1983 /63

Taking Britain into the EEC was the most enthralling episode in my life - Ted Heath 1984 /64

the French, whose leaders originally saw Spain as a reinforcement of France's central position in the EC between the German and Latin worlds, now realise there are many potential rivalries across the Pyrenees, mostly from an economic point of view – Francois Duchene 1985 /65

We believe there should be reforms in the EEC which would benefit all members. If these were not achieved, our policy is to preserve the ultimate option of withdrawing Britain. That option would not, this time, need a referendum, as it did before - Neil Kinnock 8/1/86 /66

In adopting the Single Act, the Member States confirmed the objective of progressive realisation of economic & monetary union - European Council June 1988 /67

We have not successfully rolled back the frontiers of the state in Britain, only to see them re-imposed at European level, with a European super-state exercising a new dominance from Brussels – Margaret Thatcher 21/9/ 1988 /68

Ten years hence, 80% of our economic legislation, and perhaps even our fiscal and social legislation as well, will be of Community origin - Jacques Delors 1988 /69

Mr. Chairman, you've invited me to speak on the subject of Britain and Europe. I should congratulate you on your courage. It must seem rather like inviting Genghis Khan to speak on the virtues of peaceful coexistence! - Margaret Thatcher 20/9/88 /70

My objective is that before the end of the millennium, Europe should have a true federation - Jacques Delors 23/1/1990 /71

It seems like cloud cuckoo land, if anyone is suggesting that I would go to Parliament and suggest the abolition of the pound sterling – no! … We have made it quite clear we will not have a single currency imposed on us - Margaret Thatcher 28/10/1990 /72a

What is the point of trying to get elected to Parliament only to hand over sterling and the powers of this House to Europe? - Margaret Thatcher Oct 1990 /72b

The President of the Commission said at a press conference the other day he wanted the European Parliament to be the democratic body of the Community, the Commission to be the Executive and the Council of Ministers to be the Senate. No. No. No. - Margaret Thatcher 30/10/1990 /73

Peter Sissons: "The single currency, a United States of Europe, was all that in your mind when you took Britain in?" Ted Heath: "Of course, Yes" - 1/11/1990 /74

Our sovereignty does not come from Brussels, it is ours by right and by heritage - Margaret Thatcher 26/6/1991 /75

I'm sure entering the ERM was absolutely right and is still right. I regret we did not do so 5 years earlier, but that is history. Economic monetary union must come as soon as possible, and with it the single currency - Ted Heath 26/6/1991 /76

The member for Islwyn (Neil Kinnock) was going to have a single currency willy-nilly. He has already made up his mind. The argument that he uses is that, if others have it, we must. That is an argument for a flock of sheep - Margaret Thatcher 20/11/1991 /77

Federalism is a guideline, not a pornographic word, you can speak it out loud. We have been focusing too much on a country that has said No, No, No! - Jacques Delors 8/12/1991 /78

that such an unnecessary and irrational project as building a European superstate was ever embarked upon will seem in future years to be perhaps the greatest folly of the modern era - Margaret Thatcher 1992 /79

Now we’ve signed it (The Maastricht Treaty) we’d better read it - Douglas Hurd 7/2/1992 /80

one day, in the not–too–distant future, the Pound would be as strong as the Deutschmark and perhaps might even replace it as the anchor currency of the ERM - John Major 1992 /81

There will be no devaluations, no leaving the ERM. We're absolutely committed to the ERM. It's at the centre of our policy. We're going to maintain sterling's parity & we will do whatever is necessary, & I hope there is no doubt about that at all - Norman Lamont 26/8/1992 /82a

As a result of uncertainties caused by the French referendum, massive speculative flows have continued to disrupt the ERM. I've called an urgent meeting of the EC's monetary committee to consider how stability might be restored to the markets - Norman Lamont 16/9/1992 /82b

In the meantime the Govt has decided Britain's best interests would be best secured by suspending our membership of the ERM with immediate effect. As a result, the second of the two interest rate rises (to 15%) announced today will not take effect - Norman Lamont 16/9/1992 /82c

(Major) attempted in the Maastricht negotiations to make membership (of the ERM) a legally binding obligation; he was prepared to take the country to the brink of bankruptcy to stay in the system in Sep 1992 - Bernard Connolly /82d

I could never have signed this (Maastricht) treaty. I hope that that is clear to all who have heard me - Margaret Thatcher 7/6/1993 /83

The Cabinet eurosceptics are “Bastards” who are “spreading poison”; and I’m going to “flipping crucify them” - John Major 24/7/1993 /84

During Maastricht, there was an opportunity to hold a referendum & to consult the people on how much further they wanted to go towards an integrated Europe. Unfortunately, his party—and my party—refused the people of this country a say - Lord Stoddart 25/7/1994 /85a

The accession of Spain, Portugal and Greece resulted in more centralisation and bureaucracy. I fear exactly the same will happen when the 4 new countries are introduced. I believe they will provide further impetus towards the Euro superstate - Lord Stoddart 25/7/1994 /85b

I believe the European Parliament is probably a fifth column which wants to destroy the nation state. A glance at the constitution it has drawn up makes very clear to all who read it where it wants to go; namely, the destruction of the nation state - Lord Stoddart 25/7/1994 /85c

All QMV has done is make quite sure the Commission, by its manoeuvring, can get anything it wants pushed through by means of sufficient inducements given personally to a certain number of states. It sets one member state against another - Lord Bruce 25/7/1994 /85d

In 1972/73 we were promised the Market would be good for British trade. Our total deficit in trade since is probably about £97 billion. So we have received no trading benefit. Indeed, quite the reverse. What we have done is neglect our other markets - Lord Stoddart 25/7/1994 /86

This country's destiny does not necessarily lie in Europe which is becoming an industrial backwater. The action is taking place in China, Japan, Australia, Taiwan and the Americas, That is where the great opportunities lie, not in Europe - Lord Stoddart - 25/7/1994 /86b

Economic performance in Europe has been far below Japan and the US. Unemployment is running at a level which it will be impossible to reduce unless in Europe output vastly in excess of what is anticipated is achieved - Lord Bruce 25/7/1994 /87a

The Council of Ministers has no control over the budget. The budget is decided by reason of a limitation in the earlier part of an inter-institutional agreement. Once agreed, all discussion on the European budget is coincidental. The Govt has no power - Lord Bruce 25/7/1994 /87b

Our joining the ERM & having to come out of it with such ignominy and dishonour caused the greatest slump we have had in this country since that between 1929 & 1931 and from which we are only just recovering - Lord Stoddart 25/7/1994 /87c

CAP has damaged our agriculture. We have land set aside which used to grow food. The environmental effects of increased nitrogen on our rivers have been very bad. It is very difficult to find any benefit. But the cost has been £20billion - Lord Stoddart 25/7/1994 /88a

Fisheries was one of the most difficult areas of the accession negotiations with Norway. The Spanish demanded extra Norwegian fish as the price of agreeing to enlargement and the Norwegians resolutely refused to give up a single fish - Viscount Ullswater 25/7/1994 /88b

The vision of the Founding Fathers of the European Community was proved right for its age. But it will not do now, popular enthusiasm for the Union has waned - John Major 1994 /89

The introduction of a common currency without proper prior economic convergence would be a disaster - John Major 1994 /90

A move to a single currency to be successful, would need proper convergence of economies across Europe. They would all need to be operating at the same sort of efficiency. I know of no one who believes it's remotely likely, it's simply not going to happen - John Major 1996 /90b

Anyone who contemplated withdrawal from the European Union was living in cloud–cuckoo land - John Major 23/4/1996 /91

I look forward to the day when the Westminster Parliament is just a council chamber in Europe - Ken Clarke 1996 /92

Over the last 20 years America has created 36 million new jobs of which 31 million were in the private sector. In that time, the EU as a whole only created five million new jobs, of which only one million were in the private sector - John Major 4/2/97 /93

I wouldn’t like to be the Chancellor of the Exchequer who went to the despatch box and said Well, I no longer have any control over interest rates, I am sorry they have gone up 3%, but it’s nothing to do with me, Guv. - John Major Feb 1997 /94

As Neville Chamberlain is remembered as the Prime Minister of Munich, so will John Major be remembered as the Prime Minister of Maastricht - Bruges Group /95

If there are further steps to European integration, the people should have their say at a general election or in a referendum - Tony Blair 1997 /96

In my lifetime all our problems have come from mainland Europe and all the solutions have come from the English-speaking nations across the world - Margaret Thatcher 1999 /97

The Single Currency project is part of a far bigger project to create a country called Europe governed from Brussels and Frankfurt - John Redwood 2000 /98 @johnredwood

From the lessons of European history 1st, there is nothing benevolent abt programs of European integration; 2nd, the desire for grand utopian plans often poses a threat to freedom; 3rd, European unity has been tried before & the outcome was far from happy - M. Thatcher 2002 /99

Europe is a monument to the vanity of intellectuals, a programme whose inevitable destiny is failure. Only the scale of the final damage is in doubt - Margaret Thatcher 2002 /100

The future will belong to the Germans. when we build the House of Europe. In the next 2 years we will make the process of European integration irreversible - Helmut Kohl 2002 /101

The EU should be named the United States of Europe - Valery Giscard D'Estaing 3/10/02 /102

There’s no case for having a referendum on the new EU Constitution, we don't govern this country by referendum - Tony Blair 2003 /103a

There will not be a referendum. The Constitution does not fundamentally change our relationship with the EU – Tony Blair 2003 /103b

The EU Constitution is "just a tidying up exercise" - Peter Hain 2003 /103c

We have sown a seed. Instead of a half-formed Europe, we have a Europe with a legal entity, with a single currency, common justice, a Europe which is about to have its own defence - Valery Giscard D'Estaing 13/6/2003 /103d

Like other member states, the UK will see a reduction in no. of MEPs from 87 to 78, a fair price to pay for efficient enlargement. The changes will be implemented through the European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003, which recently become law - Denis MacShane 5/6/2003 /104a

Before a state could be considered for membership of the EU, it must be able to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union - Dick Spring 5/6/2003 /104b

Our national parliament is very ignorant about the EU, save for a small group on the scrutiny committee. The rest of the MPs know virtually nothing about the EU - Peter Hain 2003 /105a

Ministers are always ready to shift the goalposts. Just as they argue against a referendum on tidying-up grounds, they are also capable of believing issues are too important to subject to a referendum, for fear the public might deliver the wrong verdict- John Bercow 5/6/03 /105b

(Post 2004 enlargement immigration) estimates for the UK range between 5,000 and 13,000 net immigrants per year - Tony Blair 2003 /106a

Don’t mention the advantages of immigration in public because they won’t even want that - Tony Blair
Isn’t immigration the sort of issue which can blow up in our face? - Jack Straw
Immigration won’t be an issue, Immigration is good for Britain - Tony Blair / 106b

Asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in Britain. Removal takes too long and it’s emotional - Barbara Roche / 106c

It was clear Roche wanted more immigrants to come to Britain. She didn’t see her job as controlling entry into Britain, but by looking at the wider picture in a “holistic way” she wanted us to see the benefit of a multicultural society - Stephen Boys-Smith /106d

Britain’s borders had been thrown open to rub the right’s nose in diversity and render their arguments out of date - Andrew Neather /106e

There was no policy for integration. We just believed the migrants would integrate - Sarah Spencer
Blair never discussed immigration in 1997, I doubt if he ever thought about it - Robin Butler /106f

No, we didn’t know the numbers - Tony Blair 20/3/2017 /106g

I don't think Tony Blair's a liar, just a fantasist. He says whatever he likes, and then he believes it - Norman Tebbit 1/5/2005 /106h

The Constitution is the capstone of a European Federal State - Guy Verhofstadt 21/6/2004 /107

A federal EU is the only option. I'm confident Europeans would by an overwhelming majority approve of a federal Europe in a Europe-wide referendum - Guy Verhofstadt 2005 /108a

When asked opinion on referendums on EU Constitution in France and Netherlands "If it’s a yes we say on we go, if it’s a no we continue" – Jean-Claude Juncker 2005 /108b

(After France said No) - Countries that reject the treaty will be asked to vote again. Let's be clear about this. The rejection of the Constitution was a mistake that will have to be corrected - Valery Giscard D'Estaing 2005 /108c

Public opinion will be led - without knowing it - to adopt the policies we would never dare present to them directly. All the earlier proposals will be in the new text (Lisbon), but will be hidden or disguised in some way - Valery Giscard D'Estaing 2007 /109

This treaty is the constitution by another name. The agenda has always been to sneak it in under another guise. It is a deliberate & deceitful attempt to prevent free and fair referendums not just in Britain but all European countries - Nigel Farage Jun 2007 /109b

It will have enormous adverse implications for Britain, yet it is being bulldozed through. Blair will sign away our future - just days before he leaves No 10 - and his legacy will be a hand grenade with the pin pulled out - Nigel Farage Jun 2007 /109c

The manifesto (promise of a referendum on EU Constitution) is what we put to the public. We've got to honour that manifesto. That is an issue of trust for me with the electorate – Gordon Brown 2007 /109d

A great part of the content of the European Constitution is captured in the new treaties - Jose Zapatero 2007 /109e

The substance of the constitution is preserved (in Lisbon). That is a fact - Angela Merkel 2007 /109f

EU leaders had decided to make the new treaty unreadable so key reforms would be difficult to recognise at first sight. This would diffuse possible calls for referenda in member states - Guiliani Amato 10 Jul 2007 /109g

The institutional proposals of the Constitution are found complete in Lisbon, only in a different order. To my surprise & my great satisfaction, the 9 main points are repeated word for word in the new project. There is not a single comma changed - Giscard D'Estaing Oct 2007 /109h

Those who are anti-EU are terrorists. It is psychological terrorism to suggest the spectre of a European superstate - Giorgio Napolitano 2007 /110

So today I am inviting the Labour and Conservative parties to join with me in calling for the referendum that will settle Britain's European future, once and for all: an in-out referendum - Nick Clegg 25/2/2008 /111a

The new Lisbon Treaty was nothing at all like the Constitutional Treaty and made little or no difference to Britain's relationship with the EU - Gordon Brown 2008 /111b

If this was a constitutional treaty, we would hold a referendum. If there was a vote on the Euro, we would hold a referendum. But the constitutional concept was abandoned - Gordon Brown 2008 /111c

This is not a treaty (Lisbon) Britain wanted or needed. It's a treaty you (Gordon Brown) were so ashamed of you had to sign it in a room all on your own - David Cameron 18/6/2008 /111d

There is "no democratic mandate" to press ahead with ratification (of the Lisbon Treaty) - William Hague 18/6/2008 /111e

What was done in Lisbon, & deliberately, was to mix everything up. If u look for passages on institutions, they're in diff places, on diff pages, Someone wanting to understand how it worked could with the Constitution, but not with this one - Giscard D'Estaing 26/06/2008 /111f

Brown has no democratic or moral authority to sign Britain up to the renamed EU Constitution. A total breach of trust with the British people and a flagrant breach of his solemn election promise to the British people - William Hague 17/7/2008 /111g

Future referendums will be ignored whether they are held in Ireland or elsewhere. We are evolving towards QMV because if we stay with unanimity we will do nothing - Valery Giscard D'Estaing 26/06/2008 /112

In a Europe which needs greater flexibility Lisbon moves more power to the centre & where nations need freedom to compete it will narrow down those freedoms. In a Europe committed to democracy it will take decision-making away from democratic control - William Hague 2008 /112b

We have the dimension of empires, but there is a great difference. The empires were usually made through force, with a centre that was imposing a diktat, a will on the others, and now we have what some authors call the first non-imperial empire - Jose Manuel Barroso 2008 /112c

The Lisbon treaty has now been ratified by every one of the 27 member states of the European Union, and our campaign for a referendum on the Lisbon treaty is therefore over - David Cameron 4/11/2009 /113a

If we win the next election, we'll amend the European Communities Act 1972 to prohibit, by law, transfer of power to the EU w/out a referendum. It will cover not just treaties like Lisbon, but any future attempt to take Britain into the Euro - David Cameron 4/11/2009 /113b

The true state of affairs is that we are signed up to a higher, European legal order. Renegotiation is not credible or doable. This is all too little too late - Nigel Farage 4/11/2009 /113c

(To Herman von Rompuy) I don’t want to be rude but, really, you have the charisma of a damp rag & the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk & the question I want to ask is: who are you? I’d never heard of you. Nobody in Europe had ever heard of you - @Nigel_Farage 2010 /114

The decision to hold the 1975 Referendum was wholly to do with holding the Labour Party together - Peter Kellner 2010 /115

Only a Unites States of Europe will save the Euro - Citigroup 21/4/10 /116

Softly, softly a federal Europe draws nearer - Anatole Kaletsky 3/11/2010 /117

A United States of Europe is the only way to preserve EU influence - Joschka Fischer 13/1/2011 /118

The Eurozone will integrate further with market demands now trumping past ideological debates - Jose Manuel Barroso 7/9/2011 /119

No-one can leave the Euro - European Commission 8/9/2011 /120

It's sometimes the right thing to say, I can't do that, it's not in our national interest, I don't want to put that in front of my parliament because I don't think I can recommend it with a clear conscience, so I'm going to say no & exercise my veto - David Cameron 9/12/11 /121a

I had to pursue very doggedly what was in British national interest. It is not easy when you are in a room where people are pressing you to sign up to things because they say it is in all our interests – David Cameron 9/12/11 /121b

I said if I couldn't get adequate safeguards for Britain in a new European treaty then I wouldn't agree to it. What is on offer isn't in Britain's interests so I didn't agree to it – David Cameron 9/12/2011 /121c

David Cameron has played a blinder and he's done the only thing that it was really open for him to do – Boris Johnson 9/12/2011 /121d

We would've preferred a deal at the level of the 27. That wasn't possible taking into account the position of our British friends. Cameron asked for a protocol granting the UK exonerations on financial services regulations. We could not accept this - Nicolas Sarkozy 9/12/11 /121e

There are clearly now two Europes – Nicolas Sarkozy 9/12/11 /121f

It's time to marginalise Britain, so that the country comes to feel its loss of influence - Elmar Brok 12/12/2011 /121g

Of course the European Commission will one day become a government, the EU council a second chamber and the European Parliament will have more powers - Angela Merkel Nov 2012 /122

there is a gap between the EU and its citizens which has grown dramatically in recent years. And which represents a lack of democratic accountability and consent that is - yes - felt particularly acutely in Britain - @David_Cameron 23/1/2013 /123a

People are increasingly frustrated that decisions taken further and further away from them mean their living standards are slashed through enforced austerity or their taxes are used to bail out governments on the other side of the continent - David Cameron 23/1/2013 /123b

Our participation in the single market, and our ability to help set its rules is the principal reason for our membership of the EU - David Cameron 23/1/2013 /123c

Public disillusionment with the EU is at an all-time high. People feel the EU is heading for a level of political integration far outside Britain’s comfort zone. And note they were never given a say. They’ve had referendums promised but not delivered - David Cameron 23/1/13 /123d

They see what's happened to the Euro. They note many political and business leaders urged Britain to join at the time. And they haven’t noticed many expressions of contrition. The result is democratic consent for the EU in Britain is now wafer thin - David Cameron 23/1/13 /123e

Those who refuse to contemplate consulting the British people, would in my view make more likely our eventual exit - David Cameron 23/1/13 /123f

Simply asking them to carry on accepting a European settlement over which they've had no choice is a path to ensuring when the question is finally put - & at some stage it will have to be - it is much more likely the British people will reject the EU - David Cameron 23/1/13 /123g

It is hard to argue that the EU would not be greatly diminished by Britain’s departure - David Cameron 23/1/13 /123h

It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time to settle this European question in British politics. I say to the British people: this will be your decision - David Cameron 23/1/2013 /123i

Tony Blair presided over the biggest wave of immigration this country has seen since the Norman Conquest. 2.5 million net migrants came into the UK while he was in charge and Britain will never be the same again - Philip Hollobone MP 30/1/2013
/124

Britons are too ignorant about Europe to vote in a referendum on the subject. 70% of the UK’s laws are made in Brussels - Viviane Reding Feb 2014 /124

For my children’s future I dream, think and work for the United States of Europe - Matteo Renzi May 2014 /125

We have the basic principle of free movement and we won't meddle with that - Angela Merkel 25/10/2014 /126a

Should Cameron persist (in this quota plan), Chancellor Merkel would abandon her efforts to keep Britain in the EU. With that a point of no return would be reached. That would be it then - Der Spiegel 3/11/2014 /126b

David Cameron will fiddle around the edges and end up satisfying nobody - @Nigel_Farage 3/11/2014 /126c

Europe urgently needs reform. Eurozone integration is necessary for the € to survive but proper legal protection for the rights of non-€ members is necessary to preserve the single market & make it possible for Britain to remain in the EU - George Osborne 14/1/2015 /127a

If we cannot protect the collective interests of non-eurozone member states then they will have to choose between joining the Euro, which the UK will not do, or leaving the EU - George Osborne 14/1/2015 /127b

As we foresaw 30 years ago, sovereignty was severely mutilated. Core issues of the country's life are decided, or strongly conditioned, by the organs and bodies of the EU and in particular by the Directory of powers led by Germany - Angelo Alves (Portugal) 17/6/2015 - /128

2 million UK citizens working in the EU would become illegal immigrants overnight if Britain were to leave the EU - Dominic Grieve 2015 /129

Do you really want to participate in a common state? That's the question - Francois Hollande 7/10/2015 /130

We have secured a new settlement to give the United Kingdom special status in the European Union - David Cameron Feb 2016 /131a

I'm proposing to Parliament that the British people decide our future in Europe through an in-out referendum on Thursday 23rd June. This will be a once-in-a-generation moment to shape the future of our country - David Cameron Feb 2016 /131b

Maybe some point down the line there’ll be a US/UK FTA but it’s not gonna happen anytime soon. Our focus is negotiating with a big bloc, the EU. The UK is going to be in the back of the queue - Barack Obama @POTUS44 22/4/2016 /132a

We don’t have an FTA now & we are 1 of the US’s main trading partners. Our security partnership has little to do with the EU. It feels today was about politics & not reality. We should not give up our independence just because of what Obama said - Chris Grayling 22/4/16 /132b

There’s a weird paradox when the President of the United States, a country that would never dream of sharing its sovereignty over anything, instructs or urges us politely to get more embedded in the EU, which is already making 60% of our laws - @BorisJohnson 22/4/16 - /132c

If we vote to leave the EU, we risk bringing the development of the single market to a halt, we risk a loss of investors and businesses to remaining EU member states & we risk going backwards when it comes to international trade - Theresa May April 2016 /133a

The reality is we do not know on what terms we would win access to the single market. We do know that in a negotiation we would need to make concessions in order to access it - Theresa May April 2016 /133b

Leaving the EU would tip the UK into a year-long recession with up to 820,000 jobs lost within 2 years - George Osborne 23/5/2016 /133c

a Leave vote would cause an immediate and profound economic shock with growth between 3% & 6% lower, take home pay down 4%, house prices down 18% and the pound 15% lower - George Osborne 23/5/2016 /133d

If we were to leave on June 23 we will be voting for higher prices, fewer jobs, lower growth and potentially for a recession. That is the last thing our economy needs.
A vote to Leave is the self destruct option - David Cameron Jun 2016 /133e

The Treasury analysis provides reasonable estimates of the likely size of the short-term impact of a vote to leave on the UK economy – Charles Bean (former Deputy BoE) Jun 2016 /133f

The Government is trying to scare the pants off the voters – Lord Lawson Jun 2016 /133g

Brexit, to my mind, would have a material impact on growth and inflation. It would be likely to have a negative impact in the short term. I certainly think that would increase the risk of recession - Mark Carney 24/5/2016 /133h

Leaving the EU would hit British living standards, stoke inflation and wipe up to 5.5% off GDP, it could spark a stock market crash and a steep fall in house prices. The UK will fall into recession in 2017 – IMF June 2016 /133i

The agents of Project Fear are trying to spook the British public into voting against British withdrawal from the EU - Boris Johnson Jun 2016 /133j

Cameron, Hammond, Burnham and Corbyn are all now talking about "reform". Chaps, we tried that just four months ago. It failed - @DanielJHannan 21/6/2016 /134a

Remain = Euro-taxes, economic decline, migration crisis, political union.
Leave = Prosperity, freedom, independence, democracy - Daniel Hannan 21/6/2016 /134b

I am ever more convinced that the real risk is to sit back and do nothing, to remain inertly and complacently in an unreformed EU that is hell-bent on a federal project over which we have no control - Boris Johnson Jun 2016 /134c

It's clearly very tight but I think Remain might just nick it - Nigel Farage 23/6/2016 /135a

Sunderland votes to Leave by larger margin than expected - The Independent 23:29 23/6/2016 /135b

The cheer around me at Vote Leave HQ just now must have been audible in Sunderland! - @DanielJHannan 23/6/2016 /135c

Everyone suddenly burst out singing; I was filled with such delight. As prisoned birds must find in freedom, Winging wildly across the white - Daniel Hannan 24/6/2016 /135d

At 20 minutes to 5 we can now say the decision taken in 1975 has been reversed by this referendum to leave the EU. The British people have spoken and the answer is We’re Out! - David Dimbleby (BBC) - 24/6/2016 /135e

I feel so proud to be British this morning. The hectoring, the bullying, the scare-stories failed to dent our resolve - Daniel Hannan 24/6/2016 /135f

Let June 23 go down in our history as our Independence Day - Nigel Farage 24/6/2016 /135g

We now expect the UK Govt to give effect to this decision of the British people as soon as possible, however painful that process may be. Any delay would unnecessarily prolong uncertainty - Joint Statement Juncker/Tusk/Schulz/Rutte 24/6/16 /136a

We take note of the British people's decision with regret. There is no doubt that this is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process - Angela Merkel 24/6/2016 /136b

This is a painful choice and it is deeply regrettable both for the UK and Europe. But this choice is theirs and we must respect it, accepting all the consequences. The British vote is a tough test for Europe - Francois Hollande 24/6/2016 /136c

The people of the UK have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the US and the UK is enduring, and the UK's membership in NATO remains a vital cornerstone of US foreign, security, and economic policy - Barack Obama 24/6/2016 /136d

I wish everybody a lot of luck. It's historic. They've taken back their country and that's a great thing - @realDonaldTrump 24/6/2016 /136e

The Irish government would "do our utmost" to maintain a pre-EU agreement of an open border for travellers and "minimise any possible disruptions to the flow of people, goods and services between these islands - Enda Kenny (Taoiseach) 24/6/2016 /136f

Exit negotiations should be concluded within 2 years at max. There cannot be any special treatment. Leave means Leave - Manfred Weber 24/6/2016 /136g

We economists were collectively right about the economic consequences of leaving the EU. Sadly, as events are already proving, those consequences will be bad, possibly very bad. The UK economics profession had a good referendum - Paul Johnson (IFS) 28/6/2016 /137

Life in Europe is resembling more and more what it was like under a colonial administration. We're subjected to an invisible administration that shapes our destiny down to the tiniest details. Should we really be surprised it's leading to revolts - David van Reybrouck 2017 /138a

(Donald Trump) doesn’t like an organisation that is supranational, that is unelected where the bureaucrats run amok and is not frankly a proper democracy - Ted Malloch 2017 /138b

There are voices calling for a punitive deal that punishes Britain. That would be an act of calamitous self-harm for the countries of Europe. We would not accept such an approach. I'm clear that no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain - Theresa May 17/1/17 /139

The UK will be made an example of. EU leaders will be seeking punishment. They'll see from the UK's example leaving the EU is a bad idea, on the contrary, the remaining MS will fall in love with each other again & renew their vows with the EU - Jean-Claude Juncker 21/03/17 /139b

Juncker is the good-guy and I'm the bad guy - Martin Selmayr /139c

I don't feel guilty about inventing the mechanism (Article 50). I didn't think the United Kingdom would use it! - Lord John Kerr Mar 2017 /140

Surely the public are entitled to say we want to have another look at this. We should give every youngster under 30 a weighted vote of twice the value of everybody else, because it’s their future - Nick Clegg 15/7/2017 /141a

The UK won't leave the EU and will one day join the Euro. Parliament may not have the stomach to vote to withdraw - Lord Heseltine 22/9/2017 /141b

We must take assertive and spectacular steps that would revive the aspiration to raise European Integration to the next level – Donald Tusk 2017 /142a

I want there to be a constitutional treaty to create a federal Europe. I would like to see a United States of Europe by 2025 - Martin Schulz Dec 2017 /142b

We will see tremendous increases in trade between our two countries which is great in terms of jobs. We are starting that process pretty much as we speak - Donald Trump 25/1/2018 /143a

We are going to make a trade deal with the UK that’ll be great. We’re going to be your great trading partner - @realDonaldTrump 29/1/2018 /143b