Last year, The Independent had shared a list of 49 things “Europe” has done for Britain. (Their 50th was just silly.) The list was a bit confused in that it often mixed Europe and the European Union. It also had certain factual issue troubles.

For instance, right off the top:

1. The end of war between European nations

It might well be said that it was the Cold War that kept the peace and that the moment that ended, several wars broke out in (southeast) Europe (or, in other words, on the EU frontier). Therefore, it is hardly easily defensible to state that “Europe” (be it the continent or the EU) has ended war . . . between European nations.

And it suffered from weird repetitiveness:

11. No death penalty (incompatible with EU membership)

No EU member state has the death penalty and reintroduction of capital punishment would not be compatible with EU membership. Even countries outside the EU are having to review their policies if they want to be considered for membership of the club, most notably Turkey.

26. Prospect of EU membership has forced modernisation on Turkey

The presence of an affluent and stable bloc to its west has given the modernisers in Turkey the ally they needed to create a democratic constituency for change. That change has been pushed through with the promise of a European future.

And was at rather obvious cross-purposes on “climate change”:

16. Europe is helping to save the planet with regulatory cuts in CO2

23. easyJet and Ryanair can fly anywhere without national rules protecting high cost flag carriers due to liberalisation of air travel

But it was particularly proud of 40:

40. Human rights legislation has protected the rights of the individual

Although, not all individuals, it seems. Or, shall we say, “new” families. The BBC reports:

Two elderly British sisters have lost their final battle to avoid paying inheritance tax when one of them dies.

Joyce and Sybil Burden, aged 90 and 82 respectively, have lived together in Wiltshire all their lives.

The sisters appealed to the European Court to enjoy the same tax rights as married and gay couples, which do not apply to cohabiting siblings.

In a 15-2 vote, Human Rights judges in Strasbourg ruled they did not face unfair discrimination…

Maybe they should now declare themselves lesbian partners?

They can’t do that, of course. (Well, at least not yet.) Still, such minor blips certainly cannot take away from the fact that of course there are European positives. Indeed, who says Britain doesn’t need “Europe”? As for a real 50th, yours truly can here note having seen one personally:

(Photos by yours truly, April, 2008.)

If continental taxpayers are eager to pay for 50. livestock holding pens in the New Forest, it seems the least British taxpayers should be is thrilled.