The marriage was unhappy from the start. Britain’s flirtation with Europe began with two rejections in the 1960s. Even after the union was consummated, passion was soon spent, followed by arguments, acrimony and eventual divorce. With one partner tugging for ever-closer union and the other tugging against, it was never popular. As tempers rose towards the end, observers worried about the offspring, the millions of beneficiaries of the world’s most successful single market.

Over the half-century of Britain’s latest affair with Europe, I have traced my own responses. They range from ardent enthusiasm, through ardent scepticism, to possible leave and reluctant remain. I sense I was not the only one.

Back in the 1960s, Britain was briefly in love with Europe. At the time, America