Well I'm old enough to remember being a citizen of the sick man of Europe in our pre-EU days, Mick. During our membership we became the fifth largest economy in the world. Once again, no-one will argue that the EU hasn't produced its share of absurdities. Far better to remain, fight for reform and modernise the club. As for oppression imposed, well every member state had the choice of whether to join and, once joined, has a full say in drawing up any new or changed rules, in many cases having the power of veto. We can't have a European army, for example, because the UK says no. Rules and laws are agreed to only by democratically-elected representatives of the member states. By the way, Mick, a word in your shell-like: if you go to NI, Wales or Scotland for your hols, remember to wear a disguise... ;-)