And if a truly wondrous thing happened and UKIP got elected we might still stay in the EU - but bet your last GBP, Euro or US Dollar the terms of doing so would be dramatically altered, or we would be out.
Am I missing something here? Other than having a peaceful relationship (ie. no chance of war!) with the rest of the EU members, what are the main things that mean we must stay as members?
Free movement of people within the EU? No.
Trading Relationships and Rules? Hmmm? No! I don't believe this one. It's rhetoric.
Taken from:
Here
This is what they were considered to be for Poland joining:
Political benefits:
Participation in creating of United Europe; Polish representation in EU Institutions; Increase of the stability of democratic system and safety of the state. No boundaries among all EU countries, no passwords or visas necessary, easy travelling, possibility to move to any member country and find a job everywhere in a membership country (free transfer of persons). This would lead also to the tightening of the cultural bonds with the rest of Europe.
Economic benefits:
Free transfer of goods, freedom to provide services, free transfer of capital; Unification of economical laws in all EU countries. In more detail: the EU economy would open the EU borders into Polish products and our market would open to the products of other European countries. This should lead to more competitive market and lowering the prices. The common currency, Euro, will be enforced. It would protect us against the hyperinflation and instability on the monetary market, in banks and saving accounts.
Change of the structure of the farms from many small farms to less bigger farms with better equipment and efficiency. Increase of the specialization in the farming. Our farmers would participate in a system of subvention, the same that benefits the Western European farmers.
Social benefits:
Poland will approach European standards in the aspect of the safety of its citizens, job safety, health, education, information and the higher quality of life in the general aspect. Polish students could participate in the educational programs which give stipends for studying abroad. Children of people who would be working abroad would be able to attend local schools. But they would also be encouraged to develop their knowledge about their country of origin.
Environmental benefits:
Poland will implement European ecological norms that will improve the environment and the quality of the life of our society. The ecology-friendly technologies will be implemented as well as the most rational and effective use of rough materials and the energy.