Dear Editor,
It’s been 10 years since the UK voted to leave the EU.
A decision caused by populist individuals capitalising on the legitimate grievances of people who felt they had been left behind, and not allowed to share in the economic progress of the previous 40 years.
Those same individuals sought to create and amplify division, to promise much whilst delivering nothing; and they have been allowed to enrich themselves and their cronies at the expense of almost everyone else.
Since the referendum, our economy has shrunk, whole industries are floundering to fill job vacancies, and exporters struggle with increased paperwork.
Far from meeting the promises of certain public figures, that referendum decision has proven to be catastrophic for most of the country.
But it does not need to be this way.
We can and should look at the direction we need to take and how we face challenges in the future.
The country should have some honest and informed discussions about a future in which we could be part of an enlarged union.
If the UK were to join the EU Single Market and Customs Union, businesses would find it easier to access 500m clients.
A reduction in the need for paperwork would improve cross-border trading, boost the economy, increase inward investment, and ease the burden on so many of our public services.
I would argue that we should join the European Union, and from surveys over the last few years, it seems likely that almost two-thirds of the UK agree with me.
The economic benefits are undeniable, and social gains could lift many of our citizens out of the malaise that has dominated the last ten years.
I just hope that it will happen before the next 10 years are up.
Regards,
Tony Sutcliffe
Taunton
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