If you read what you provided a link to, it doesn't deny at all that Winston did indeed advocate a United States of Europe, so hardly 'tripe'. The article merely casts some doubt on whether Winston meant to include the UK in that by quoting an earlier statement. That is far from proof though, as even Winston was known to change his mind. He even crossed the floor of the House - he wasn't always a Tory.
He did indeed, without the UK - your argument is lost, Winston is 'out' the FT article was dispelling the myth you provided quite clearly
Spoiler: Well....... I'll still buy you a pint , but not for that attempt to sell forum code secrets.
That can't possibly be right, we're shit, our economy is shit, our country is shit................so 'they say'
But but but the advocado's rotting at Calais????? The U.K. leaving the eu project not only removes £13 billion a year from their pocket money but without the U.K. as a member of the 28, it's a bit like getting new Barcelona fans once Messi leaves, the club is devalued by losing a prominent and substantial contributor in so many ways. Can you imagine if you are a country who would put in more than you take out and you are thinking of joining the eu and you ask, why should I join if even a country as powerful in so many ways, like the U.K. wanted to leave and did? The eu commission will never admit that their "gold package" has become a "bronze package" without the U.K. and yet they had so many occasions when they could have made changes from within, to make even the brexit vote unnecessary
I wonder how other countries around the world with trade agreements with the EU feel about losing our market.