[cogs]

Supra-national organizations help prevent war. The original purpose of the EU was to integrate the countries so tightly that war .. which happened twice on this continent not so long ago, would be unthinkable. Now - when the world is looking particularly unstable - is not the time to damage the organisations that keep us close.

From an economic perspective, we live in a world of supra-national companies. To have leverage when negotiating with the likes of Amazon or Google the UK needs to work with other countries to avoid a race to the bottom on working conditions, taxes and so on.

Its the same for trade. When we're not tied by EU legislation, the UK may keep going economically, by building a low tax imitation of the US with shorter holidays, poorer healthcare, welfare etc. But I think the world is a better place for having the EU as standard bearer for a fairer kinder society. Not perfect for sure, wasteful definitely (as is all government). But also holding hope that as human beings we're able to identify with a bigger picture than the tribal nationalisms we grew up with.