
'Although the question is idiotic, it is implicit in phrasing which is common in speeches from enthusiasts for EU integration, e.g., from Clegg or Mandelson. Britain said to be ‘isolated’, ‘on the margin’ or ‘peripheral’ if not an EU member. But – on that basis – over 160 countries, accounting for more than 80% of world output, are ‘isolated’, ‘on the margin’, ‘peripheral’, etc!'