'Leaving the European Union and voting UKIP is not the way forward'.

I will firstly respond to the following statement and then highlight my main argument: "Are you willing to risk your future on the gamble that a collection of loosely associated nations with vastly different needs,wants and expectations is going to pull it self together. OR... are you more comfortable making a stand in England,For England." I believe that the risk of removing ourselves from a supra-national power is far more dangerous than to remain a member. The European Union, I would argue, in fact benefits from these different needs and expectations because it allows compromise and for the UK to consider OTHER countries' opinions opposed to remaining the little island it would be without. Furthermore, I truly believe that making "a stand for" the United Kingdom, not England, would be to remain in the Union as a means to protect jobs and the rights of citizens that it entrenches. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union is far from perfect. The lack of accountability, the initially overwhelming membership fee, the unnecessary bureaucracy and the presumed immigration problems all tinge the immeasurable benefits and successes of this institution. We are therefore obliged to ask the question, in true Monty Python style, "What did the Roman"s do for us?" We have been a member of this Union since 1973 with the same 5 simple aims; "To promote economic and social progress "Speak for the institution on an international level "Introduce entrenched rights for European citizens "Maintain laws which protect these rights "And develop an area of freedom, security and justice These intentions are OBJECTIVELY good things. These intentions have all been achieved. Say we place ourselves in the shoes of an investor or exporter in China; we would view this continent as the EU, not 28 separate member states, we would recognise that it is the worlds largest economy, the worlds largest internal trading market with a potential half a billion consumers and be intent to sell to this market. If we absconded, we would be viewed as a single state with much less potential and opportunity. Let"s look at our trading partners. 48% of our trade is with the EU, 16% is with the US (whom we are close to striking a free trade deal with as we speak), 3% with China and 2% with India. No other country comes close, trade wise, to the EU. If we were to leave and do what UKIP propose by joining the World Trade Organisation, trading more internationally and consequently dropping the free market, export tariffs would be extremely high. For example, currently our exports to India are at 20% but by giving this up and joining the WTO it could potentially be as high as 150%. A clear disaster for employment and business. The Euro-sceptic media, most notably the Daily Mail, so often portrays this proud British nation who is a small, feeble country which was once great being held back, pushed around and forced to implement legislation by the German bullies in Brussels. I will firstly say that the hold the EU has over our laws is exaggerated to the extreme with only 7% of the UK"s PRIMARY legislation coming from Europe. But also, the UK is extremely powerful. We"re arguably the second largest influence in a Union with allies who listen to and respect us. Which of course answers the question over could Britain renegotiate our terms. We are a great power in Europe because it is known by every member state that the City of London is its economic hub. We have benefited massively from inward investment from foreign companies who use the UK as a base for exporting and providing the UK with jobs and expertise. If we were to leave, these investors would be deterred by the export tax that would ensue which is something Nissan has highlighted in the past week. The Japanese car companies would move to the suddenly more appealing Germany, who would not have to issue a 5-10% export tariff on motor vehicles. This would have rippling effects on the 3 million jobs directly linked to the EU and the money it creates. It has also been, I would argue, the most effective Union in history. It is without a doubt the most warred continent in the world and to maintain peace and stability in this area has been a phenomenal success and something that should not be ignored. This continent in the last 50 years has been home to the vilest dictatorships. The people of Spain, Portugal, Greece and all the Eastern European countries had no opportunities to determine their own future and lacked all of the liberties that we take for granted. Thanks to the European Union and the Copenhagen Criteria none of these countries will ever be able to introduce the death penalty or repress basic freedoms of speech, of assembly, sexuality and of religion in the ways that were present not long ago. It is no coincidence that these countries have all democratised since the EU was created. If we look into the future; what will this country need most? It is conceivable that the acquisition of resources will be crucial. If we were to target climate change by ourselves it would be to no avail. The United Kingdom itself is only liable for 1.5% of the worlds Co2 emissions. The European Union is, however, accountable for 11% of the world"s green house gas emissions. Bulgaria, Italy and the Czech Republic, for example, all emit more pollution than is deposited in their countries because of the prevailing wind. Even if we gained, that oh so important, national sovereignty over our environmental policy which is currently 90% EU based (secondary legislation), it would do nothing to prevent acid rain coming over from the EU. Integration, targets and universal legislation amongst every member state is a necessity for a greener future, which if we leave is something we would simply jeopardise. Being part of any team, or Union, implies some restrictions on personal freedom and there is, I will concede, much room for improvement. But to leave the European Union would undermine employment, dilute our international standing, and relationships, and subsequently be the abandonment of a Britain that is richer, stronger, safer and greener.