MOST of the Remain argument for staying in the EU centres on negative reasoning mostly on economic grounds i.e. the potential and as yet unproven effect on trade and free movement.

Remainers appear to be prepared to put up with the subjugation of our democracy and lack of control of our affairs as a price worth paying even apart from the mounting costs of remaining a member.

Its parallel could be likened to an unhappy marriage where one spouse will put up with a domineering and controlling partner purely because there maybe be economic consequences in leaving the relationship. Will that arrangement lead to long term happiness?

When you look at the EU you will discover that many of its members have an unhappy relationship with the EU — we are not alone.

Take Italy, for example. Its economy has barely grown in 20 years and its unemployment rate stands at more than 10 per cent with youth unemployment at more than 30 per cent.

It is saddled with a national debt which is at 130 per cent of its GDP and is defying the EU over its budget plans.

It’s a similar picture for Greece, Spain and Portugal, with little chance of any improvement for the simple reason they cannot devalue their currency because they are stuck with the euro. The Euro has made their economies hopelessly uncompetitive.

There is widespread corruption in many member states including Romania and Bulgaria and now, apparently, even in Malta.

Right-wing governments in Poland and Hungary have seen them become more authoritarian politicising their judiciary’s which has put them on a collision course with the EU.

France is in turmoil with its yellowshirts, effectively a mob, calling the shots and causing chaos.

Belgium is struggling with chronic unemployment and immigration issues, its government having just resigned. Even Germany has seen a rise in right wing parties with Mrs Merkel’s party struggling to form a government.

It is not a happy picture.

If some of these governments default on loans, which on current trends looks likely, the EU would naturally look to its members to bail them out and we, as a member presently, would be called upon to bear some of the cost.

Why is this tale of woe happening? Principally, like all empires, which is what the EU has become, it is incapable of reform.

One-size-fits-all does not work and this is another good reason for getting out.

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