petra - my post stated that we signed up initially to the EEC, and it was made perfectly clear that closer union between European people, including furthering economic and social progress by removing barriers.
The ultimate outcome was the EU, underpinned by the treaty of Maastricht.
In fact the preamble to the Treaty of Rome, establishing the EEC clearly states that as a basic objective of the community. (Page 3 of the July 1971 UK White Paper repeats this under the heading "purposes of the Communities").
Our present problems should not have been seen as a 'challenge to the UK sovereignty', since back in 1971, the then Tory Government accepted the progress towards greater social, political and economic union.
Again, on page 8 (para 28) of the White Paper, it is stated: "But we will be joining at a moment when we shall be able to influence the process of development. This will also be true of progress towards economic and monetary union."
On the same page (para 29): "We shall have full opportunity to make our views heard and our influence felt in the councils of the community"
Perhaps it has been in the later years, when some of the more reactionary MEPs, have been elected from the UK, that owe have failed to make our influence felt.
So, back in the 1970s, we knew that there was to be progress towards more unification across the countries of Europe, and we accepted that with the referendum.
Admittedly, that was at a time when we still had considerable core industries, and had only just begun to see the benefits of North Sea oil and gas. Such a pity we were unable to do more with our assets.