Two Nons! that frame Britain’s vexed post-war relationship with Europe

Commentary feature in which authors says: 'Non! Twice in the last four decades, the monosyllabic expression of French defiance has been splashed in large type across the front pages of Britain's newspapers. The first time was in January 1963 when President de Gaulle blocked Britain's bid to gain accession to Europe's Common Market. The second time Non hit our front pages was this week, when the French people rejected the European constitution in last Sunday's referendum.

Those two Nons - more than 40 years apart - are two milestones in Britain's agonised postwar relationship with Europe. More than milestones perhaps, they may be seen as the beginning and end of Britain's agonised reaction to European integration.

Article discusses the challenges facing the UK as the Dutch and French people vote against the European Constitution, May-June 2005.