Nigel, yes nothing to stop us trading, but the cost to trade would be much greater, customs duties would rise making our exports much more expensive, the ease of trade would be much more difficult, cost to companies would increase due to extra paperwork, import costs would also rise meaning our costs in the UK would rise.So simply we would find that the spending money in our pocket would decrease, Also many overseas companies have head offices in the UK, you would find slowly that they would move.All in all the best option is to renegotiate our membership, the EU don't won't us to leave, so they would be forced to give way to some of our demands, and in truth its immigration that is the main issue, and bring back some of the powers given to Brussels. We need to be strong as a country and not give in to the EU like we have for the last 20 yearsIt would be madness to leave completely we would suffer for years, with higher unemployment, a more fragile economy than we have now, less money etc, less opportunities for trade even more expensive to take a holiday in Europe.
Declan Devine ● 4181d