I see where you're coming from but the EU was created out of the coming together of many nations, therefore a 'popular' decision. Despite the leading politicians wanting it in most places it was a referendum that decided membership. Also as a country leaving the union, i don; think we can have much say on it. The British are the least European of all of Europe (hence brexit?). Also, the examples of the Czech is one eastern european country who are influenced by Russia, and rightly so because Russia is very close to them culturally and so it's fine for them to look up to a very powerful state. Also, of course the EU is coercing Eastern Europe under their control and more western stuff and economic integration because then they are less influenced by Russia who the EU do not like. Finally , would it be easier to negotiate trade deals with 27 nations, many of which would be extremely complicated, than with just one trading bloc? Yes, it's more likely to get a more beneficial deal because it's one vs one however how much does that compensate for 27 separate trade agreements etc. Also even if you did have separate trading 'blocs' (not physically) between say Germany, France and UK, that is very much a trading relationship that is similar in principle to the EEC... Just some thoughts.