As tensions are set to rise and the clock ticks down, lifelong Labour Party supporter and donor John Mills recalled in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk how when Britain joined the European Economic Community (EEC) – the precursor to the EU – the price of butter skyrocketed.
Britain joined the bloc in 1973 under the premiership of Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath.
Less than two years later, Mr Heath’s successor, Harold Wilson, called for a referendum as his party, Labour, was deeply divided on the issue of Europe and so was the country.
Mr Mills, alongside left-wing veteran Tony Benn, strongly campaigned for Britain to leave the EEC and its trading bloc.
One of his reasons was the immediate surge in food prices Britain faced once it joined the European club.
Mr Mills, the national agent of the 'No' campaign, said: “I do remember the price of butter quadrupling after joining the EU.
"I was against the bloc because food prices were going up at a worrying level.
"There were butter mountains, there were wine mountains..."
The eurosceptic added: "The perception that the EU is wasteful and that the money is spent on the wrong things... well, that is what convinced people to vote the way they did in 2016."
