Lord Tebbit on the future of the EU

The leading British euro-sceptic writes on the present stae of play in the Daily Telegraph this morning, read it here. The following quote contains the essence for me:

The task for the Tory leadership, the euro-sceptics, the "Better Off Out" supporters and Ukip is to crystalise the vision of Mrs Thatcher's Bruges speech into the architecture of a new European treaty, one that would constitute a framework within which sovereign states would co-operate with a European Republic formed of those nations willing to enter a complete political union of their own - what we might call their 1707 moment. And if those states are wise, they would see that the 1707 Act of Union brought mutual benefit for three centuries, although devolution has edged the UK close to the cliff edge of break-up within a decade.

In 1988, Mrs Thatcher's "guiding principles for the future" of Europe were simple.

First, that "willing and active co-operation between independent sovereign states is the best way to a successful community". Secondly, that "community policies must tackle present problems in a practical way". Thirdly, she saw a place for "policies that encourage enterprise" and, lastly, that the "most fundamental issue" was the European countries' role in defence.