I don't need you to take what I say seriously, I lived through that and experienced the effects first hand. Whether or not you believe it makes no difference whatsoever, the facts are still the facts. Also, what you call "Thatcherism" is actually "Neo-Liberalism" something which the EU is not only okay with but is actually a prerequisite for being a member. You don't need to take that seriously either, you can just ask them.