[Big Brian]

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

As Chris asked when did the commonwealth cease to exist it seems to be doing relatively well and is a far bigger market then the EU and contains many more developing economies. This is the problem with the whole EU referendum debate half facts and exaggeration meaning neither side has made their case sufficiently enough for undecideds to make the informed choice they are looking for.

Exactly. This is why we have to leave the EU and tap into that market.

---------- Post added at 07:20 ---------- Previous post was at 07:11 ----------

Originally Posted by ianch99

You seem to be mixing up the people affected by Government cutbacks with those you see as being impacted by being in the EU.

Can you clarify when the "good old days" were? Thanks ..

The good old days were in the 60s and first 2 years of the 70s when you could walk into a job. You could leave one job on a Friday and start another on the Monday especially in the building trade. I know this because I had family who worked in that trade. Getting a job in the building trade isn't that easy now. Walk on to any building site and play a game of Spot the Brit. Now I know we're just a poor wee country who couldn't survive without being tied to the apron strings of mother EU (NOT) but surely our own citizens can once again get these apprenticeships they had in the 60s? God's Holy Trousers, it's not rocket science. Anyone can see the advantages of leaving the EU even if the economy does take an initial hit. It will recover and be all the better for it in the end.

---------- Post added at 07:25 ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 ----------

Originally Posted by Chris

It's pretty unfair, the way the UK dropped its "commonwealth first" trade policy, hanging out to dry countries we are intimately related to, in order to join the European project. I wonder if all those New Zealand sheep farmers have ever quite forgiven us.

I doubt they had a say in the matter. It was probably part of the conditions of joining the Common Market. In fact, I'd say it was. You can only trade with the single market from now on. What a big mistake it was joining the Common Market and at least I can say "We told you so."

---------- Post added at 07:29 ---------- Previous post was at 07:25 ----------

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

I'm fairly sure any trade we might lose from leaving the EU we can make up elsewhere and easier no longer being restrained by the EU. Both sides have performed pathetically during this campaign but what optimism there has been is on the leave side and this tired retort of remainers "closing ourselves off from the world" is being seen for what it is a cheap shot that isn't even applicable as the vast majority of leavers favour greater trade and involvement with the whole globe. If shutting ourselves off applies to any camp it's remain where they seem happy to be reliant on the EU for trade.

I think our biggest problem is our politicians have got lazy and like having the EU doing as much as they do letting domestic politicians off the hook as the EU has made a great scapegoat for our politicians over the years. Getting out of the EU is the first step to a chance of decent politicians.

This is exactly what Leave should be ramming home in the last few days. I'm pretty sure the Commonwealth and others will be only too wiling to trade with us. After all, wouldn't it be in their best interests to do so?