Thought I'd start a new thread as this is going to be a major talking point this year...have not made up my mind yet...(unlike bucksfizz)....but thinking of voting for an exit as Europe is not doing Britain any good at all it seems....

The UK trade deficit with the EU in the first 3 months of 2016 was almost £24 Billion, or if you like over 30 Billion Euros. In 3 months.
So who has the most to lose?
The current trade agreements will stay in place until renegotiated.

At present we are looking at two fighters. Ugly faces before the fight and kissing each other afterwards.

Is it more likely that the deficit with the EU will increase if UK opts out of the EU?

What were the reasons for Heath wanting join and Maggie etc. for staying?

The democracy argument is a red herring.

The immigration factor will be changed very little by getting out.

Suggest you listen to Michael Heseltine on "Any Questions Friday night".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qgvj

No. The EU rules are quite clear. We have to invoke an exit clause in the Treaty of Lisbon if we leave. That guarantees us only 2 years of the current trade deal. Then we operate under WTO rules.

Guarantees is the operative word. It also allows an extension if the withdrawing State and the European Council both agree. For European Council read Merkel. She will not allow, or be allowed, to damage Germany's commercial interest.
The UK is not Norway. For Fred's information, the UK's GDP is greater than Malta, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Finland, Ireland, Denmark, Austria and Belgium combined.

That is all a bit vague and based on hope.

it's all a high stakes poker game

the eurocrats may threaten blood and thunder in the event of an "out" vote, but my bet is that that will not be the case

It's all down to what Merkel wants (or her bosses)

#2688 is a bit of an eye opener.



Give it up Haystack, you ol 5th columnist you.

Haystacks is an insider..He professes to be a Leaver, but he's far from it,
Everything he posts is Pro-eu.

We invoke article 50, and we have 2 years to agree any trade agreements,
there is NO reason why trade dosn't carry on as it is.

Anyone who says different is LYING and trying to deceive you.

Beware of the likes of Haystacks.

You are living on hope!

I don't give a fig about the likes of haystacks..

The fact is if we vote out the EU will bend over backwards to try and appease
us, but it should be resisted at ALL cost.

We shouldn't be taken in by their promises, they have lulled us into a false
sense of security over the past 40 odd years.

I don't know how many read this BB, but i'm concentrating on the letter's
section of my local paper, where i can reach thousands, and argue the cause
of Brexit, against those who are for remaining.

Fred, If you've got an argument put it up..Or shut the feck up!!

I've just caught up on the rubbish posted by fred..I'm free tomorrow, ALL day.

Once again you live in hope!

Put up or SHUT up..

Any new trade agreement has to be voted on by all the countries of the EU and a qualified majority is necessary otherwise no agreement.

They'll do as Frau Merkel tells them to do..

I wouldn't be so sure.

Ask the snake oil salesman.

From Sky News

Fifth 'In Dark' Over Economic Impact Of Brexit