Yet more tired anti-EU nonsense is being trotted out by the Centre for Policy Studies, in the Thatcherite thinktank's latest attempt to revive the policies of the 'Iron Lady'.

The chairman of the CPS, Lord Blackwell, has opined that Europe's 'outdated protected regional economic block is in danger of locking us into the slowest growth markets' while the European social market model is 'destroying' Britain's ability to compete. Indeed, the CPS urges the Government to change our relationship with the EU into something resembling that of Switzerland

Far from being a 'protected economic block', the EU is committed to open and fair trade. Indeed, it conducts more trade with the rest of world than does the USA, Canada, Russia and Japan, including accepting, without quotas or tariffs, exports from all of the least developed countries.

Meanwhile, Britons continue to enjoy the longest period of uninterrupted economic growth in living memory whilst still benefiting from the fundamental workplace rights laid down in the European Social Chapter.

Some economic destruction!