As a predominantly agricultural country, we would have had immense moral authority if we had chosen instead to lead the way out of the quagmire our partners had created for themselves before we joined. Unlike Britain, which has clear vested interests in this matter, no one would have questioned our bona fides if we had put a hand up and told the truth. That truth, which has been staring us in the face for 30 years, is that the CAP cannot survive as a permanent part of a united Europe.