Treaty of Paris creates the European Coal and Steel Community. Britain stays out.

Britain, facing economic decline, enters the European Community.

Membership reaffirmed in a national referendum The margin is 67.2 per cent. It comes after Harold Wilson promises a fundamental renegotiation of terms that, he insists, does not jeopardise national sovereignty.

Rebate on EU contributions Margaret Thatcher during a press conference at the end of the European Economic Summit in 1984 (Photo: AP) Margaret Thatcher wields the handbag, and secures a rebate on Britain’s EU budget contributions.

The Maastricht Treaty widens the European Union The treaty lays the framework for the Euro and shared foreign, social and justice policies. Its passage tears the Tory Party apart.

The New Labour era begins Tony Blair opts into the social chapter, bringing the working time directive into force in Britain. Gordon Brown torpedoes membership of the Euro, which launches on January 1 2002.

Eight Eastern European countries join the EU Citizens of eight Eastern European countries including Poland and Hungary get movement rights to Britain immediately.

David Cameron wins the Tory leadership David Cameron and his wife Samantha wave to the audience after delivering his speech to the Annual Party Conference in 2005 (Picture: Bruno Vincent/Getty) He later tells his party to stop “banging on about Europe”.

The Lisbon Treaty The treaty sees the creation of an EU president and Foreign Service, and removes Britain’s veto over 40 areas of policy.

David Cameron vetoes treaty to strengthen control over Eurozone He says it would jeopardise Britain’s access to the single market.

The Bloomberg speech David Cameron sets out a sweeping vision for reform to save Europe, highlighting the working time directive and Brussels’ bloated bureaucracy, followed by an in-out referendum in 2017.

Greater freedoms for Bulgarians and Romanians Picture: Warren Allott/The Telegraph Bulgarians and Romanians given unrestricted right to travel and work in the EU after joining in 2007. Government responds with new laws to deport beggars and powers to end dole payments after six months.

Ukip come first in the European elections Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Over the summer, Tory MPs Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless defect to Ukip.

Jean-Claude Juncker becomes president of the European Commission Most other member states backed Juncker's appointment (Photo: EPA) David Cameron is defeated in a bid to stop Jean-Claude Juncker becoming president of the European Commission by 26 to 2.

Cameron sets out his plan to reform EU migration It includes: denying migrants in-work benefits for four years and deporting unemployed EU migrants after six months.

£1.7bn bill for EU membership Cameron is furious after Britain is hit with a £1.7bn bill for EU membership, calculated due to the economy’s success compared to the Eurozone.

David Cameron wins the General Election His manifesto is based on reform and referendum. The renegotiation process is launched, and Cameron launches a whirlwind tour of Europe to visit all 27 counterparts.

Threat to use British budget contributions in emergency Greece loans In first unpleasant shock of the renegotiation, the European Commission threatens to use British budget contributions in emergency loans to Greece – tearing up a promise won by David Cameron four years previously.