[toronto353]

(Original post by internetguru)
We measure the success of countries based on GDP per capita. Wage inflation raises that therefore it is far more beneficial than disadvantageous.

We wouldn't be running away we would be going in a different direction which is more beneficial for the British people. We can't keep saying "oh but if we made it a little better it will be great" there have been no attempts to reduce its budget and none of our EU partners have any interest in making any changes. Just recently they increased their budget, the people of Britain's problem with the EU is the cost and the cost alone.

In TSR land, the budget of the EU remained the same and didn't rise.

[internetguru]

(Original post by toronto353)
In TSR land, the budget of the EU remained the same and didn't rise.

Well we raised it for 2013/2014

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show....php?t=2035114

I didn't actually read the numbers so it might not be a rise. Putting this in so I don't look stupid.

[JPKC]

The EU works very well (with the exception of the silly way its government is configured). It's the Eurozone that is fundamentally flawed.

[hines]

Along with the Shadow Foreign Secretary, as the Shadow Business Secretary, I would like to make my stance that I am against leaving the EU. People may dislike the rules placed over the UK by the EU government, however, without our links within the EU, which provide investment and trading, the market of the UK would be a lot worse off. Imagine: currently, there are worries that if even Greece has to leave the euro, there would be repercussions in our market, but if we cut our ties with plenty of other EU countries, we'd be in a very sorry state.

[Morgsie]

(Original post by hines)
Along with the Shadow Foreign Secretary, as the Shadow Business Secretary, I would like to make my stance that I am against leaving the EU. People may dislike the rules placed over the UK by the EU government, however, without our links within the EU, which provide investment and trading, the market of the UK would be a lot worse off. Imagine: currently, there are worries that if even Greece has to leave the euro, there would be repercussions in our market, but if we cut our ties with plenty of other EU countries, we'd be in a very sorry state.

You forgot working with others and our involvement in the Common Foreign and Security Policy and our military.

[toronto353]

(Original post by Morgsie)
You forgot working with others and our involvement in the Common Foreign and Security Policy and our military.

Why do we need a common foreign policy? Can the UK not speak on its own behalf? I understand the need for countries who don't have a big say on the international stage to enter this policy, but why do we need to be part of it?

It's on my wishlist of powers to be repatriated which I will say is almost all of them.

[hines]

(Original post by Morgsie)
You forgot working with others and our involvement in the Common Foreign and Security Policy and our military.

I'd like to thank the Hon. Member for the help. Indeed; we're too tied in to the EU to then run out of it. Well, of course, we can run out of it, if you want to see us then run straight back in asking for bail outs.

[internetguru]

(Original post by hines)
Along with the Shadow Foreign Secretary, as the Shadow Business Secretary, I would like to make my stance that I am against leaving the EU. People may dislike the rules placed over the UK by the EU government, however, without our links within the EU, which provide investment and trading, the market of the UK would be a lot worse off. Imagine: currently, there are worries that if even Greece has to leave the euro, there would be repercussions in our market, but if we cut our ties with plenty of other EU countries, we'd be in a very sorry state.

1) Why would European businesses and consumers stop investing/trading with the UK?

[internetguru]

(Original post by Morgsie)
You forgot working with others and our involvement in the Common Foreign and Security Policy and our military.

We would still be in NATO so our foreign and security policy wouldn't change.

[Morgsie]

http://eeas.europa.eu/cfsp/index_en.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_...ecurity_Policy

[toronto353]

(Original post by Morgsie)
http://eeas.europa.eu/cfsp/index_en.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_...ecurity_Policy

Once again,

Why do we need a common foreign policy? Can the UK not speak on its own behalf? I understand the need for countries who don't have a big say on the international stage to enter this policy, but why do we need to be part of it?

[hines]

(Original post by internetguru)
1) Why would European businesses and consumers stop investing/trading with the UK?

Some countries may prefer to do their trading with EU only countries and it would actually insult many nations if the UK were to pull out - which may have some consequences to do with trade. Trading within the EU gives security because there's a central government and obviously not any old country can walk in to the EU.

[eff01]

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskait: "..Not Europe, but the Brits are divided, are outside decision-making. Europe is united." Do we really want to be in a position where we are affected by what happens in the EU, but can't do anything about it as we are not part of the EU? Leaving the European Union has serious consequences. Not as straightforward as it seems.

[Morgsie]

(Original post by eff01)
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskait: "..Not Europe, but the Brits are divided, are outside decision-making. Europe is united." Do we really want to be in a position where we are affected by what happens in the EU, but can't do anything about it as we are not part of the EU? Leaving the European Union has serious consequences. Not as straightforward as it seems.

Theoretically it is possible to leave the EU because the Lisbon Treaty inserted an exit clause (Article 50 TEU) which means that State would inform the EU and an Agreement which would be drawn up, subject to QMV after the European Parliament's consent.

Practically it is difficult which the bit in bold touches on