"It worked out fine" is rather debatable. During the 60s and 70s, prior to European integration, the United Kingdom was called the Sick Man of Europe with good

"It worked out fine" is rather debatable. During the 60s and 70s, prior to European integration, the United Kingdom was called the Sick Man of Europe with good reason. The Winter of Discontent, the Three-Day Week and the $3.9 billion loan/bailout from the IMF in the 70s were certainly not indicators of a healthy economy.