The result of the forthcoming referendum will tell us a great deal about ourselves. It will tell us what sort of people we are and whether we have the generosity and breadth of vision to take into account the concerns of poorer countries. It will also tell us whether we have a sufficient grasp of history to understand what it was like for east European countries to live under totalitarian regimes for almost 50 years after the Second World War. Will we be able to rise above our own narrow interests to appreciate the interests of others? What entitles us not to do so?