On Europe

The very fact that most people here refer to Europe when they are discussing what is going on in the world of politics indicates that the British people do not consider themselves to be part of the continent and I think that psychologically at least Britain very much regards itself as an island. Britain wasn't invaded in the last war and therefore did not suffer the same misfortune as most countries and the close relationship Britain has with the English speaking world and especially America makes the Brits feel more secure.

This is of course not the case with the likes of Poland, Belgium, France, Greece and other states that were invaded in the last century so the need for them to achieve a united Europe is far greater and of higher priority, I doubt as to whether the average person in Slovenia or Belgium worry about the Euro but they are concerned about whether or not invasion is a possibility. There is the big bad Russian bear in the East and the Germans could easily get excited again so a united Europe is a better bet...