You obviously don’t remember the constant battles between the Eurosceptic, monetarist “dries” and the pro-Europe, Keynesian “wets” that were a feature throughout Thatcher’s premiership. Thatcher had to manage the massive division in her party the whole time she was leader. She never at any time attempted to face down the Eurosceptics.Although anti-EU sentiment was there, it was largely below the surface. It became a problem with Major but he managed to contain it. It really spiralled out of control during Cameron´s time and has continued to grow and grow. The pity is that neither Cameron nor May had the guts to take the eurosceptics on, and ease them out of the party.

