I chuckled again over the Thatcher's Cabinet episode where she hovers teacher-like over her cabinet of naughty schoolboys. At one stage Geoffrey Howe gives the Iron Lady an apple to sniff, which she promptly discards with the words "Geoffrey, this is a French one".
Some three decades later, today's PM David Cameron is digging himself out from under a pile of apples as he deals with the anti-Europe sentiment that has dogged every Tory leader since Thatcher. The blunt instrument he is using is an in/out referendum on our membership of the European Union - four years away depending on whether the Conservatives win the next election.
While Euro-sceptics continue to push for an earlier date, Cameron has been winding his way through the continent's capitals discussing his plans for reforming Britain's membership. For, as we all know in HR, getting buy-in from stakeholders is key to succeeding in any strategy.
Last month he was boosted by the launch of a lobby group, Business for Britain, seeking a new deal and supported by big business names including ex-M&S chief Stuart Rose and Next boss Simon Wolfson. Others in business, however, take the opposing view, believing the announcement of a referendum to have caused uncertainty in terms of investment and encouraging talented people to our shores.
So what do those in HR think? Unsurprisingly, given this political hot potato, many HR directors contacted by HR magazine would not go on record. But the overall feeling was pulling out of Europe would be a disaster, particularly at a time of economic weakness. Renegotiating a better deal is seen as a good idea, but the ability to cherry pick the policies we do and don't want is unlikely to be acceptable to other EU members.
Nothing seems to rankle more than employment and health and safety legislation when it comes to European interference. But, as Martin Flavell, HRD at Finmeccannia, points out, leaving the EU will not necessarily have the positive impact in this area that many employers think it will.
The debate around Europe shows no signs of disappearing, especially with UKIP's success in the May local elections. If a referendum were to take place, there is a strong possibility the nation will vote 'out'. We need a clear and coherent policy on Europe: one that focuses on the real issues, weighs up the real facts and looks at benefits and disadvantages not just in terms of trade, but also in the areas such as talent mobility and diversity that are so vital for the UK's growth.