I usually stay away from political debates because I usually end up losing my rag on some touchy subject, and THIS one is a touchy subject for me!
I voted out myself, for reasons already outlined in previous posts - mainly uncontrolled immigration and the complex bureaucratic maze of regulations, laws and statutes that the EU itself imposed.
We joined the then EEC because we were in a state, in debt, still recovering from the War, etc. Now 4 decades have passed and things are different. But as those decades have passed, the European community grew from just 9 countries to the 28, sorry, 27 countries at this time.
As the EU Governing body became more centralised and grew in power, it imposed many regulations upon it's member states, some of which destroyed businesses and livelihoods. The red tape increased, the bureaucracy increased. We've always had a rocky relationship with Europe over the centuries, from wars to trade disputes, etc.
But ultimately we've always been "cut off" from the continent as an Island nation and we're more like the Americans or Australians rather than the Continentals, which goes a long way in explaining why we are the way we are as a nation.
I for one will be watching to see what unfolds over the coming weeks and months, but the dust will settle eventually, and it MAY just be the best thing we've done in a long time - in control over our own destiny, without foreign influences meddling in affairs that are foreign to them.
Brief explanation of our history with Europe