We joined the EC in 1973 partly due to falling behind economically to Western European powers within
The UK did not do great before the EU. In the 1960s it was considered the "sick man of Europe". That was the reason they wanted to join the EEC in the first place (and were refused twice by De Gaulle).
Yes, the man had his flaws but he was dead right on what to expect of people. He was right about the US and the UK.