I'm a eurosceptic. Having worked in Brussels, it would be foolish not to be (same for Westminster). Change is needed. I once worked for an NGO that was literally called Alter-EU. What keeps me from being "europhobic" being able to distinguish between babies and bathwater.
I think the EU needs more transparency. And there have been major improvements since 2009...the Lobby Transparency Register, the obligation to sign up and declare your interests just to meet commissioners or enter the Parliament building.
Ironically for Brexiters, it's widely known, for those of us in the field, that the least transparent part of the EU is the Council. That's the institution where the ministers of NATIONAL governments meet to debate and vote.
I do wonder whether commissioners should be directly elected and there has been talk of moving that way. But there's an argument that that would be a step towards a truly federal Europe. So Brexit voters would complain either way.
There is over-regulation but this Commission has this "Better Regulation Agenda" designed specifically to cut red tape. That began in 2014. (wasn't mention in the referendum) But the greens both here and there are worried that this means corporate deregulation. Again, not simple.
I could go on... But the upshot is:
▪️ Being in the Single Market puts us on a level footing competing in our closest (therefore cheapest) market
▪️ Being in the EU gives us a disproportionately powerful say in the laws of Europe
▪️ It holds governments to minimum standards
▪️ Being in the Single Market puts us on a level footing competing in our closest (therefore cheapest) market
▪️ Being in the EU gives us a disproportionately powerful say in the laws of Europe
▪️ It holds governments to minimum standards
