'TIME and again, the huge market of the European Union is presented as an enormous benefit to Britain; some kind of trading wonderland without which Britain could not possibly survive and certainly could not risk jeopardising by ceasing to be a member of this organisation. But, surprisingly, all the claims which are made about this so-called major advantage of membership always fail to mention the true facts, the reality of the situation. 
Since Britain joined the EU, we have accumulated a trade deficit with Europe of astronomical proportions. In this period, Britain has bought £500bn more products from Europe than Europe has bought from us. This is not an opinion but a depressingly cold, hard fact, yet there are still some who are in denial and still able to believe this trade deficit doesn’t exist. In 1972 joining the then European Common Market would provide, it was claimed, a huge boost for our trade but the only boost has been to European companies. What advantage is this for Britain?
So, if Britain was no longer a member of the EU, how could Europe possibly impose trade sanctions upon us?'
Since Britain joined the EU, we have accumulated a trade deficit with Europe of astronomical proportions. In this period, Britain has bought £500bn more products from Europe than Europe has bought from us. This is not an opinion but a depressingly cold, hard fact, yet there are still some who are in denial and still able to believe this trade deficit doesn’t exist. In 1972 joining the then European Common Market would provide, it was claimed, a huge boost for our trade but the only boost has been to European companies. What advantage is this for Britain?
