I normally have very forthright views on political matters, but in the case of whether or not we should stay in the EU, I am genuinely undecided. It strikes me it's a question of which option would be the least bad and either way, pain may ensue.
On the one hand, I agree with much of what BigJoe above says. The EU is too big, with factions that are too diverse - incompatible in fact - all being corralled into a whole that just doesn't fit together. The enlargement of the EU to its current size, including the current 28 member states was imho a really stupid idea that's led directly to many of the problems we now see. The gross incompatibilites between the member economies has led to the issues we've seen in Greece for example, and is at the root cause of the immigration crisis we see here in the UK. And yes, I did say crisis. But as if that is not bad enough, the EU is hell bent on progressively further union, with an undoubted end-goal of a federal European super-state. I feel it's an inexorable path leading to somewhere we don't want to be.
On the other hand, unfettered access to the single market brings great benefits and as THE english speaking nation in the EU, we are uniquely attractive to investors from APAC and elsewhere. Korean and Japanese execs may well speak English, but they sure as hell won't speak French or German. Combined with our more flexible labour market (you can sack people in the UK in a way that is just not possible in for example France or Germany) and English as our first language, it makes perfect sense for Nissan, Honda, Toyota etc when looking where in Europe to invest, to base large facilities here. If we were to leave the EU, all that would at risk. Jobs will inevitably be lost if we leave the EU.
Nevertheless, probably - and I am genuinely undecided - I think we should leave. The thing that makes me lean in that direction more than anything else, is not the immigration issue or the progressive loss of sovereignty however. It's the fact that I think Europe is fundamentally more socialist than the UK is. I believe the path to true prosperity and great public services for all is through wealth creation: doing everything you can to eliminate red tape, to encourage entrepreneurialism and to stimulate growth. A highly taxed, welfare-burdened economy does the exact opposite and ultimately declines. It is no coincidence that the other major economic trading blocks around the world are growing, whereas Europe is not. Europe is too inward looking, too internally focussed, worrying too much about issues internal to the EU and not paying enough attention to its real competition which is India, China, Brazil, America. Even Africa.
Whilst brexit would undoubtedly be painful and have many drawbacks, I think it may be the best bet to allow the UK to become more free, more creative, more vibrant and exciting, and to once again excel in the world's markets and bring wealth to us all. My sense is that staying in the EU - with an ever increasing burden or bureaucracy, red tape and taxation, is like fighting with one arm tied behind your back.
