Steve,
we'd still have to buy the bulk of what would then be our tariff-stricken goods that we need from outside the block.

Let me try again to explain this basic stuff to you Steve.
When we leave, we will not have to apply tariffs to food, clothing and footwear as the EU makes us do now.
The only tariff free stuff we can get now is from the EU which is the most expensive stuff in the world! That is why they impose their tariffs.

Get it now?
Anything else I can educate you on?
Now you know the facts will you change your views?

DMcG,
CBI wants UK to stay in customs union

They are slavishly pro. EU.
They campaigned for us to join the ERM, which was disastrous for our economy.
They campaigned for us to join the euro, which would have been worse.
Meanwhile for their members business is booming with orders at their highest for 30 years and exports at their best for 20 years.