General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I am amazed - really quite amazed - at some of the Brexit opinions I am reading here on DU [View all]LeftishBrit
(41,205 posts)(and I was a child in pre-EU times).
Some things were better due to the Postwar Consensus: government leaders of both parties believed in full employment, a mixed economy and reasonable spending on public services, though these things certainly differed in degree between the parties.
But there was never a time when everything was perfect. In the 60s, most children left school at 15 and did not seek further education; the life expectancy was about 10 years lower than now; and pollution was a serious problem in cities. Many urban parts of the country, including most of East London, were very run down, and often had big crime problems : e.g. London with the Kray brothers. Racism and sexism were rarely even challenged - women didn't have the right to equal pay until 1976. Until the 90s, Northern Ireland was in a state of civil war, sometimes resulting in terrorist outrages on the mainland. Not saying that any of this was BECAUSE we weren't in the EU; just that it wasn't some sort of perfect golden age.
And going back a little earlier, Europe certainly had its problems such as millions of people being killed in two world wars!!! The EU certainly contributed to the maintenance of peace.