The European Union is a trading bloc first and foremost. It sets standards for trade as high as anywhere in the world. You can't have a trading bloc of 28 fiercely independent nations without politics. But nearly everything agreed by those countries is agreed by consensus. Any nation or commission who gets above itself is at the mercy of a very powerful veto structure. There is no European army because it has been vetoed by the UK. There is no ever-closer union because the UK doesn't want it. If you think that leaving is taking back control, come back in a couple of years' time, Stanron, and tell me how we've stopped the US from taking control of our trading standards. Do remember to tell us how to get the chlorine out of your Sunday roast. Remember to tell us how those hormones in your beef are helping to make your mouth water, and tell us triumphantly how you've taken back control of our food quality. The trouble is, Stanron, that every time you come on here posting about brexit you bring nothing apart from brainless received wisdom. You've never actually looked into anything first, never. I can only assume that you acquire your unthinking opinions from those braying Question Time audiences. It's a real shame, old chap. But you're not untypical, unfortunately for the well-being of this country.