This is what EU membership used to give us, and why the best route out of Brexit would be to join again, no matter how long that takes...
1. Full unfettered access to the largest trading bloc in the world.
3. Frictionless borders allowing for just-in-time manufacturing, supporting millions of jobs in the auto industry, in aerospace etc.
5. Active support for the Good Friday Agreement and Irish peace process (NI benefitted from PEACE funding of over 1.5 billion euro between 1995 and 2020)
8. Freedom for EU citizens to travel, work, study and retire in the UK.
9. Scientific and academic collaboration, including access to grants, and knowledge pooling.
11. Collaborative space exploration
When you're reading this list, consider that our EU membership cost an average of 41p per person per day. That's less than the price of a premium cup of coffee a week.
(All refreshed? Let's continue!)
13. Driving licenses valid all over the EU. No need for international driving permits.
14. Car insurance valid all over the EU
16. Simplified system of fixed compensation for flight delays and cancellations thanks to EU Air Passenger Rights.
19. Portable streaming services, allowing access to existing Netflix and other streaming accounts all across the EU.
22. Simplified VAT reverse charge mechanism for those selling across the EU
23. Cross-border collaboration on tax issues, to hold huge firms like Amazon and Facebook more readily to account
25. Disaster relief funding, e.g. the 60 million euro we received for flood relief in 2017.
26. Access to a court of last resort (ECJ) that can be used by citizens to hold their Government to account.
28. REACH regulations and the EU Chemicals Agency, which combine to improve human, animal and environmental safety around chemicals.
29. Safer medicines due to the pan-EU testing regime.
Of course, any one of these could in theory be replaced by the right treaty, the right agreement. But replacing all of them would be an impossibly complex exercise. EU membership would be much, much easier.
31. Participation in the European arrest warrant programme that allows for the speedy capture and extradition of wanted criminals sheltering in other EU countries.
33. Support for rural areas (which have long been ignored by successive UK governments).
36. Free movement for musicians and their instruments, bands and their equipment, artists and their materials etc., enabling a flourishing European culture scene.
38. Service providers (e.g. freelance translators) can offer their services to clients all over the EU on the same basis as they can UK clients.
40. No VAT or duty payable when goods from the EU are imported (great for online shopping as there are no unpleasant surprises in the form of extra charges).
42. Protection for minority languages, such as Welsh, enshrined in law.
43. Mutual recognition of academic and many professional qualifications.
45. The elimination of surcharges on credit and debit card transactions (EU law makes these illegal).
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47. Support and encouragement for democracy in post-communist countries.
49. A bigger, stronger presence on the world stage when facing off economic giants such as the USA and China.
51. Strong, legally enforced food hygiene standards, including prohibitions on chlorinated chicken and GM crops.
53. Financial passporting, enabling firms in the City of London to provide services to clients all over the EU.
54. Legally enforced 14 day cooling-off period on new timeshare agreements.
56. Consular protection in countries outside of the EU from any EU embassy or consulate, if they don't have an UK embassy or consulate
59. Minimum of 4 weeks of paid leave a year (introduced by the EU in 1993, adopted by UK in 1998, extended to 28 days in 2009)
61. Access to a willing seasonal workforce to pick our fruit and vegetables.
62. Ensure a vital supply of medicines (we import 37 million packs a month from the EU)
Now perhaps you can see why Remainers get so upset when they're told to "get over it"? Brexit isn't a football match result, to be forgotten about after a grumble. It is a fundamental upheaval of the UK's situation in the world.
64. A major say in the running of the EU, with MEPs representating the UK in the European Parliament, judges on the ECJ panel, etc.
66. More influence on environmental policy, since we would have a hand in shaping laws that governed 28 countries (pollution and carbon emissions don't stop neatly at borders).
68. Strong pan-EU intellectual property protection, including participation in the upcoming unified patent system.
70. Protection of 500 bird species under legislation dating back to 1979 and enhanced in 2009.
71. Cleaner beaches.
73. A powerful presence on the world stage thanks to 28 EU countries acting in unison.
77. Support for people with disabilities. Initiatives such as the European accessibility act (mandating accessibility requirements of various products and services) and the EU parking card.
79. Ability to bring home anything you buy in another EU country without making a customs declaration, so long as it is for your own personal use.
One of the most frustrating things about Brexit is how much and how fast the glib promises of Brexiters have unravelled. Now, it's clear that Boris Johnson's government prioritises "getting out" over avoiding disruption.
84. Banks must charge you the same for payments in euro across the EU as they do for the equivalent national transactions.
86. Enhanced human rights protection (especially against the State) through the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
88. A single broadcasting licence valid in the whole of the EU, removing the need for TV networks to obtain licences country by country.
Congratulations, you made it! How many of these did you know about? Was anything a surprise? Has your view changed?
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