We are a net contributor because we recognise that it is mutually beneficial to strengthen economies that are lagging behind so that we become a community of equals. Bearing in mind that each state is coming from different postions, and have their own pressures - East Europe decades of the economies controlled fro Moscow, Mediterranean country emerging form fascism. Noone pretends that this is easy to do.

Of course there are some who believe that UK should have the right to focus on its own economy at the expense of others, and these are the lowest of the low pathetic excuses for human existance.The sooner this country has its holier than thou arrogance wiped of its face, the better. These are often the same people who resent paying taxes as they earn enough not to need anything from the state.