• It often seems to be based on the fact the UK is UK is either the second or third largest economy in the EU (leavers often say it's the second of course but it depends on the measures used).

    But given we're a net importer and all our exports via road have to go via Europe...

    A good practical example is food. We grow 61% of the food we eat, but if you look specifically at fruit and veg, there's a huge deficit in fruit and vegetable production. In 2015, imports of fruits to the UK were valued at £3.1 billion; imports of fresh vegetables (excluding potatoes because they're not vegetables they're a carb) at £2.1 billion.

    55% of our tomatoes come from the EU - a lot from the Netherlands, which despite being tiny is the second largest exporter of food behind only the U.S. (because they've embraced modern high tech farming methods).

    Britain will never be self-sufficient in food production, according to the president of the NFU.

    But right, they need us more than we need them...

  • And 80% of our economy is services anyway. If I were running a European law firm, or consultancy, or IT firm, or financial services I'd be seeing plucky Blighty ruling itself out of competition with me as huge opportunity not a problem.

    I imagine the French and Germans will cope with a shortage of cheddar, Marmite and pot noodles.

    Although that is admittedly the breakfast of champions.

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