EU Referendum

[Pete]

Do you guys think we should have a referendum about staying/leaving the EU?

I'm quite surprised how many folks, according to the national press, want us to leave.

I personally think it would be a big, big mistake.

What are the views of a typical UK town like Chesterfield?

[therealjr]

if you look at it in bland terms then the decision should be easy. At no time since 1979 have we received more from the EU than we paid in.
Also if we were no longer part of the EU we wouldn't have to accept workers from all EU countries which in theory help our unemployment position.
But we would then cease to be part of the European Economic area and would have to negotiate individual trade agreements which could completely hammer our exports and screw our balance of payments.
Our best bet is stay inside the tent p1551ng out and re negotiate our contributions again. Of course allowing us to do this isn't in the best interests of people like the Germans or French who would end up paying more or others like the Poles who would end up getting less.

[Slacker]

The resistance to have a referendum is understandable as I think the knee-jerk reaction would be to quit because of the bad publicity that the EU gets.
It's the payments in and the (what's seen as) petty regulations that get media coverage.
I think we are in a stronger position as a large body but there needs to be improvements in openness and democracy.

[Fly]

Whilst thinking about how to voice my opinion on this, Slack and JR have posted.
Both point's I would have to consider. But that's because I'm on this forum and see both sides of the debate.
Based on the turnout for the PPC election, a lot of people aren't so informed, so would act like sheep.

JR: cease to be part of the European Economic area and would have to negotiate individual trade agreements which could completely hammer our exports

Slacker: I think the knee-jerk reaction would be to quit because of the bad publicity that the EU gets

Based on that, I can't see a referendum happening. I think we would be out. Not necessarily for the better.