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The EU has little to no trade agreements with neighbouring countries and large manufacturing countries like China etc. Have a look at Switzerlands private trading model and if we imitated that, products would be cheaper, our exports would generate a larger revenue without the EU because of their ridiculous tax laws and the way they manipulate industries to maintain monopolies.
For me it's not the way that the EU operates in terms of trading etc, but it's how it is slowly moving towards a dictatorship than what it was meant to be a 'democracy'. The EU doesn't necessarily have to collapse, but has to be more honest and transparent about it's policies, and the laws its enforcing, all whilst the people are the main deciders and not hidden suits in Brussels. That way there would be nothing but benefits for the countries within the EU, but unfortunately this isn't the case
ajmkid-
people are the main deciders and not hidden suits in Brussels
I'll admit that it's about as clear as mud, but it turns out that the people we elect, our own government and MEPs, appoint, set priorities for, and scrutinise the actions of the 'hidden suits'. Is that any different to the civil servants we have in Westminster?
As for the 'slowly moving towards a dictatorship' comment, do you mean it's being run by the people who actually bother to engage with the system and show up to meetings (I'm looking at you Farage...)?
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I'm not sure the EU was intended as some sort of democratic institution. It grew from a free trade areas. But that is by the by.
As to the democratic deficit, do you think you are being fair and comparing like for like?
We don't elect our civil servants or judges who for the most part are the ones who end up actually making laws and implementing policy. We elect our MEPs.
Ultimately any group will be the product of its members, it sounds cliché but you get out what you put in and I think if you are passionate about effecting change it is better done from within.
I also don't believe that post Brexit the brexitiers will be spearheading democratic reform in Britain. In which case there seems little point in worrying about a small element in a totally undemocratic national political system.
SCS
hugo7
Can I offer some counters to the points you've raised?
Will that reduce if we leave? For eg if you go to bike24 or one of the other German sites you can buy things without additional tax. Whereas if you use JensonUSA you'll get stung with our own tariffs.
If the EU fails and collapses, there will be significant consequences. Those effects will be world wide. It is the largest free market area in the world.
Do you think there would be a significant lessening if we leave? For example, though a conscious shift in our trade policy in the interim to ensure we are isolated from the fall out?
If we remain could we increase the chances of the EU collapsing? And is it worth trying?