100 reasons to vote to leave the EU

[BritBrit]

A long list of 100 reasons to leave the EU

1-Control immigration & introduce a skills based system
2-The UK Parliament makes our law not the EU
3-Sign our own trade deals
4- Save £55 million a day in fees
5- Regain control of UK fishing waters
6- We will not be signed up to the TTIP
7- We can stop future EU members e.g. Turkey/Albania/Serbia get free movement to the UK
8-Withdraw from the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) so we don’t pay for EU farms
9-Cheaper food-being outside the CAP provides cheaper food prices
10-Reopen UK fisheries creating thousands of jobs
11-Cheaper energy prices-we can scrap EU green laws
12-Scrap the EU’s Common external tariff which increases the cost of imports from outside the EU (cheaper goods & food)
13-Introduce a British Bill of Rights-EU members must sign up to ECtHR
14- No chance of the UK joining the Euro in the future
15-The UK won’t be forced to join an EU army with UK armed forces under Brussels control
16-We will not have to bailout Euro countries & we just did Greece
17-We can use the money we pay the EU on Britain e.g. NHS
18-Protect UK culture & national identity
19-The UK would be an independent sovereign nation
20-We can repeal EU regulations holding back business particularly small firms
21- The UK can take back our own seat at the World Trade Organisation
22-It will be easier to crackdown on tax avoidance because EU free movement of money allows firms to avoid tax
23-Outside the EU we can require immigrants to pay for NHS treatment
24- The EU is undemocratic-Parliament will be fully accountable to Brits again
25- We could introduce a law for British jobs for British workers
26- We can charge EU students international university fees for using UK universities
27-We can stop immigrants claiming tax credits, social housing & benefits
28- The EU forbids state aid so the UK is unable to support UK industry e.g. steel
29- EU trade, when we joined the EU was 37% of world GDP it is now 17%
30- The UK is the world 5th biggest economy & EU’s biggest export market
31- The EU undermines UK democracy because we are constantly outvoted by other EU nations
32- The EU has not had its accounts signed off for 20 years
33-EU students would not be entitled to UK student loans, currently they haven’t repaid £40m
34-After Brexit,controlled immigration will increase wages & take pressure of public services
35-The trade deficit between the EU & UK is almost £92 billion a year in the EU’s favour
36- The EU waste billions of pounds of British money on useless projects.
37- We can reintroduce UK passports without the EU mark on them
38- If an EU nation gives a non EU immigrant their passport they get unrestricted access to the UK
39-The UK can act as an example to other eurosceptic EU nations & encourage them to quit e.g. Holland/France
40- The UK can control our own VAT currently the EU set the bands
41- The UK only gets 49p back from the EU for every £1 we put in
42- The EU is a threat to the UK finance sector
43- The average British household would be £1000 a year better off after Brexit
44- The UK has under 10% of MEP’s & only 1 vote of 28 in the Council
45- Open Europe says the top 100 EU rules cost the UK £33 billion to implement
46- Stop immigrants claiming child benefits for children that don’t even live in the UK
47-The UK is not able to take skilled non EU immigrants because we are overwhelmed by unskilled EU immigrants
48- Between 2009 & 2014 the UK voted against 576 EU proposals in the EU Parliament, 485 became law (84%)
49-The EU took the UK to court 23 times between 2007-2011 for not implementing EU law
50- The EU currently decide 75% of the laws affecting Britain
51-The UK lost our veto over many legal areas in the Lisbon Treaty, Qualified Majority Voting was introduced meaning the Eurozone can impose laws on the UK
52- Democratic inconsistency- the UK has 1 MEP for every 880,000 people. In Luxembourg they get 1 MEP for every 71,000 people.
53- The UK has failed to block any measure it opposed in the EU Council for 19 years since 1996.
54- Last year the EU demanded the UK pay an extra £1.7 billion to the budget & David Cameron paid.
55-EU treaties provide on Brexit we will have 2 years to negotiate a new deal
56-Leaving the EU will help solve the housing crisis because immigration will be controlled & rent prices will go down
57 Protect the greenbelt-immigration has meant we have to build on our greenbelt to provide housing
58-Stop school overcrowding & spend UK resources on educating British kids-immigration has led to massive class sizes.
59-British students are still able to study abroad because the Erasmus programme includes non EU nations.
60-The EU is responsible for many of the recent floods in the UK because the stops the UK from dredging rivers by the Water Framework Directive
61-The British people do not elect the various EU President, the EU Council or the EU Commission
62-The EU has suggested that it wants to take The UK and France’s UN Security Council seats
63- The EU controls the tariffs the UK has to put on goods from non EU nations which is damaging trade particularly with Commonwealth nations.
64-The UK spends millions each year on translators (courts/hospitals/ schools etc) for EU immigrants
65-The EU is set to expand further in the future meaning the UK will lose more influence & have to open borders to more people
66-10,000 EU employees earn more than the British Prime Minister & we are paying for it
67-The EU courts have recently overruled UK tax law & ordered the UK to pay back big business taxes they paid, estimated to reach £50 billion
68- David Cameron’s ‘renegotiation’ achieves nothing & has not been adopted by the EU, it can be ignored by the EU Parliament or overruled by the EU courts
69- The EU spends £500 million a year of taxpayer money creating pro EU propaganda
70-The British people cannot vote out the leaders of the EU like we can a Westminster government
71-Policies widely supported by the public e.g. railway renationalisation are illegal whilst we are in the EU
72- The EU allows the live importation of animals, the UK cannot ban it
73-The EU Clinical Trials Directive 2004 has ruined the UK research sector, in 2000 the UK conducted 6% of all trials, in 2010 it was 1.4%
74-The EU fine UK universities if they do not fly the EU flag, the University of Northampton was fined £56,000
75-The fundamental aim of the EU is to create a European superstate, the UK will not be a nation but a region controlled by the EU
76-Outside the EU the UK can create a free trade deal with the EU to maintain free trade
77-If the UK votes to stay in the EU, it will be taken by the EU as permission from the British people to do whatever they want and impose more integration on us
78-The EU have just delayed the next EU budget until after the EU referendum, expect more massive increases
79-The European Arrest Warrant allows Brits to be taken to other EU countries without a trial
80-The EU makes a terrorist attack more likely because we cannot stop EU immigrants entering the UK e.g. one of the Paris attackers travelled to the UK
81-During the recent immigration crisis millions have entered the EU, as soon as they get an EU passport they have the right to enter the UK & use our NHS/schools/benefits etc
82-The EU is not responsible for peace in Europe, Nato is, for instance during the Balkan war it was the USA & UK that led efforts to stop it not the EU
83-All the groups who are telling the UK to stay in the EU have vested interests in the EU e.g. the IMF bailout Greece & those organisations all said the UK had to join the Euro
84-The EU spends millions moving operations to Strasbourg from Brussels that UK taxpayers pay for
85-Worker rights DO NOT depend on the EU e.g. the UK had holiday rights in 1938, Equal Pay in 1970 & race/sex discrimination laws introduced before we joined
86-The UK has better maternity rights than EU law provides providing more time off & better maternity pay
87- When the UK joined the EU we had 18% of MEP’s in the EU Parliament, we now have only 9.7%
88- The EU is currently planning to take control of UK taxes with a vote in May giving every EU citizen an EU tax identification number
89- The European Health Card (which includes non EU nations) has been used by immigrants living in the UK to claim for treatment in their home countries we pay for
90- 800,000 UK jobs have been advertised on an EU jobs website advertising our jobs to EU immigrants, more jobs than all other EU nations combined
91- We cannot let more skilled Commonwealth immigrants into the UK who we have more in common with because we have open borders to unskilled EU immigrants
92- When the UK joined the EU we had 17% of the vote in the EU Council, we now only have 8%
93- If the UK quits the EU it will encourage other EU nations to also leave
94- From 2005-2014 the NHS paid £1.3 billion for EU immigrants giving birth on the NHS
95- The EU has just voted for new Port Regulations effectively seizing control of UK ports
96- The UK is still a member of other international organisations e.g. the UN, WTO, NATO where we can work with other nations & protect our interests
97- Tory Minister has admitted that UK governments use the EU to pass unpopular laws they couldn’t get passed by the UK Parliament
98- The UK effectively has open borders to the entire world because any non EU national who marries an EU citizen can come to the UK
99-The EU is never going to reform, David Cameron tried & failed to get major reform
100- Vote to Leave and David Cameron & George Osborne will have to resign & be out of power

Leave the key reason why people want brexit is immigration, not some perceived notion of democracy. Look at the OP for a taste of that.

I find it interesting how Brexiters throw around the term 'democracy' as if this would endow them with some sort of moral fibre to make up for the overt anti-foreigner stance. May I mention here that democracy is certainly a sound political system but that HItler was democratically elected in 1933 after years of anti-jewish campaigning.

"However, I wouldn't choose victimhood as a status, so won't perceive that my position is xenophobic because you "feel" it is. Freedom of speech and all that. That's what is good about our democracy.
"
More smuggery from you lea . Not sure where in my post I have given you the impression that I see myself as a victim. I have described what my experience is (also reflected in the Guardian article linked above)
and that people are happy to be openly xenophobic since the Brexit campaign. I am lucky because I have options, skills and determination as well as a tight network of British and international friends and colleagues and know that I could make a living pretty much anywhere. My multi-lingual family have British citizenship so we can choose basically. We might choose to bring our skills to a place where we feel welcome if that makes sense. No, It is the UK that will loose out in the long run and I wonder how Britain will fare in a global world because you will not be able to turn back the clock wrt to global business and globalisation.

Leave: why be so condescending?

You have no idea how it feels to be at the receiving end of xenophobia.

Freedom of Speech has nothing to do with hate speeches. It does not give licence to be offensive to 'the other'.

Please don't think that all foreigners need to be lectured on Democracy and Freedom of Speech. Some of us can read and write you know !!

A single reason to stay in the UK:

That list is wishful thinking, not a guarantee.

I find this so frightening - look what we have become. As a nation. the amount of hate and outright terrible things being said about immigrants.

how did we get here? brexit has really allowed people to voice worst impulses and justify themselves. Its just racism.

MN has a good few posters wilfully misconstruing those that have researched and wish to leave as "racists". They would not tarnish themselves by looking at the reasons people question the EU, simply because they wouldn't wish to be lumped in with far right people.

The far left has some very scary politics over there regarding anti-semitism currently and Corbyn failing to deal with it. Some of it is appaling and I don't see much condemnation from Diane Abbott, Corbyn etc.

However, I have the sense not to construe that every Labour party member is also an anti semite. If I did, I would frankly be stupid.

UKIP have a voice because Labour are failing to openly talk with their core voters on how free movement of people has impacted on them.

This debate is hijacked by some who see controlling and planning immigration as "racist".

It is offensive, but not enough to actually give a shit - because the people that have that level of intellect - frankly I wouldn't ask them where the nearest loo was.....

I find it extraordinary that so many Nazi jibes are being thrown around.

One quotation from Hermann Goring springs to mind: ' The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them that they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country'.

I would have preferred more British satires in the James Gillray mould to all this destructive Nazi comparison that whips up xenophobia.

Bumble - how we got here was unplanned and unexpected (See Blair comments on subject) numbers that decided to use their right of free movement to come to UK.

The clear message from the leave side is that to continue to have popular public consent for the huge benefits that immigration brings to our country, we should seek to control and plan for numbers, skills etc. Not just have an oversupply of cheap labour affecting our poorest communities.

That's if you listen to leave campaign and aren't distracted by Cameron's attempts to keep returning it to Farage and only be willing to appear on shows where Farage is (who isn't part of the offical leave campaign).

I have listened to the leave campaign - some of it is interesting and well thought out - however, I do find the appealing to the lowest common denominator in order to win (on both sides) just so depressing.

there is so much misinformation and outright prejudice - I am looking at both sides. BUT - UKIP in particular have put out some really terrible racist things. there should be much stronger condemnation of such horrible things being said - leave should not be focussing so strongly on the immigrant ticket - its degrading.

"MN has a good few posters wilfully misconstruing those that have researched and wish to leave as "racists". " this sounds suspiciously as if you perceived yourself as a victim? Just noticed.

The danger of not listening to an electorate's genuine worries - is that it breeds exactly that ype of extreme political debate. It is entirely for this reason that the centre ground needs to discuss it rationally. It is why far right parties are growing in Greece, Austria and France. If the elected representatives will not listen to their electorate and tarnish them as racists - they end up looking for someone who will listen.

I think offical Leave campaign are assuming people are more intelligent and understand these things, but maybe not, it seems (not referring to you personally

Unfortunately, both Cameron and Labour have decided to polarise and pretend it's just about racism - and lots are falling for it hook, line and sinker.

Controlling numbers and objecting to free movement of people is not remotely racist. It's entirely how the country was run prior to 2004.

I think we should be talking about the really positive things that immigrants bring. Immigrants are a net positive to our society in every single study that has been conducted on the subject.

the number of people looking to come and work here is evidence of how successful our country and economy is. I welcome their skills, their hard work and dedication. I like living in a society that where people are diverse, its great.

I fail to see how it is different to the waves of immigration that have taken place in the past. there were no immigration controls when people fled ireland following the potato famine. or the troubles. or when workers from our colonies helped rebuild post WW2.

We are a mongrel nation and I think that is a positive not a negative.

Leave the roundabout
"Controlling numbers and objecting to free movement of people is not remotely racist. It's entirely how the country was run prior to 2004."

But creating a law declaring that British jobs could only go to British workers (point 25 of op) is most assuredly racist. Do you deny that?

I like this guy. Its more stylish than a 100 points without references to check.

metro.co.uk/2016/06/22/who-is-laurence-taylor-guy-with-eu-referendum-ad-in-metro-explains-why-he-did-it-5959925/

If Britain leaves we will have far too much power. The EU has helped regulate and control our government. I do not trust any one in power in the UK to not make changes that benefit themselves only and not the majority (ie us lot).

Sorry bac, no not a victim - happy for free speech. Says all you need to know about someone when they call you a racist for discussing democratic systems.

I have had a post removed for insulting someone's intellect, but calling people racists is so common that it is no longer an insult; I think maybe it's just a general daily vocab for some. It is a very interesting and bizarre situation.

It is a serious insult to call someone a racist. Particularly when it is usually being lobbed by someone who has the insight into the EU of "I'm so cleverl I don't need to research anything and just believe what Cameron tells me".

So yes, feel free to continue with calling me and the like racists etc.

Says more about you than it does me.

"It is a serious insult to call someone a racist. Particularly when it is usually being lobbed by someone who has the insight into the EU of "I'm so cleverl I don't need to research anything and just believe what Cameron tells me"."

you are funny leave

does it thought leave? Have you considered that since so many of us are expressing the same repulsion with your viewpoint that, actually, there may be some truth in it?

I do think that British jobs for British people only is also not great for our economy. what about someone who is not British with stellar skills vs someone british with average skills? personally, I'd rather the person with stellar skills.

we are the beneficiary of the "brain drain" that is happening in so many southern EU states. the bright young people leave for better opportunities and they come here. I cant see any negatives in that.

I am laughing at number 25! Are you serious?!
Just think about it. How many NHS nurses and doctors; how many care-home and home-care workers; how many cleaners; waiters; teachers; engineers; factory workers etc etc do you know or have you noticed are immigrants?

In my own experience: my optician is from Eastern Europe; all except one of our 8 school cleaners are immigrants; two lovely ladies who run a great little café near me are Polish; the lady who services the school hygiene equipment is Czech.

Who would do this work if none of the immigrants were here to do it?!

All this talk of immigration's burden on the NHS - recently I saw a GP, who gave me a prescription and a referral. With 1 working day I had the referral appointment. Not got scheduled in - had BEEN to the appointment.

During that time I saw the following NHS staff: GP, 2 x receptionist, pharmacist and specialist. Guess how many of these were native English speakers?

23% of NHS staff are from overseas. We have never trained enough doctors or nurses. This has been true for generations. When have you seen a government campaign to recruit medical staff - in the way they recruit teachers, armed forces, bus drivers? In many families from former commonwealth countries being a doctor is the ultimate career. If only the UK had the same culture - we wouldn't be sitting complaining about immigration - we would be doing those jobs.

Seems you haven't actually listened to any of offical leave campgain?

Possibly you haven't been able to hear them over the din of shouting racist at people

We have an oversupply of unkilled labour (in fact quite often they are highly qualified engineers etc, but they are peeling spuds for minimum wage). They are competing against our lowest paid in the UK. The minimum wage has become the maximum wage that our lowest paid can earn.

The economy will be stronger as instead of having an oversupply of people willing to bunk up and share rooms for minimum wage - we will have option of anyone in the world with skills that are actually required.

Of course, lower skilled people will still be required - but not at the current rate.

You know - just like how the rest of the world works - and how UK worked prior to Blair imagining that 15,000 people would come here to work per year....

It does appear from the last few pages that you are suffering from black/white thinking - not seeing any grey in the debate at all. Weird.

How do you go from hearing the words: controlling immigration and actually having some idea of the size our communities will become.

To actually hearing: we won't have any immigrants and I wouldn't have my lovely optician. Weird.

that's the point thought leave - we already have the option of people anywhere in the world whose skills are required - we do have visas for non- EU nationals.

I cant see anything wrong in competition for jobs. If you are struggling to get an unskilled job, get some training and get some skills.

Brexit has really allowed people to voice worst impulses and justify themselves.

There are plenty of Brexiters who don't fit this but unfortunately plenty who do. For months, my facebook feed has been full of the most anti-benefits, anti-Islam BS from people I half-know who are all voting Leave. Why? To scrap human rights laws and get the immigrants out. As much as I sympathise with the pressures caused by immigration, these are not admirable sentiments and Brexit is highly unlikely to improve their lives.

Passed a sign today saying 'We send X million to the EU each week. Let's spend it on the NHS instead!'

It worries me that people may actually think this is how it works. If so, there is going to be a great deal of disappointment in the coming months (if Brexit goes ahead) when it transpires that not only are businesses shutting up shop, house prices falling, food more expensive and the Tory government shredding the remaining benefits propping up our most vulnerable, the crisis in the NHS will in all probability be much worse.

I agree gone. there is literally no way things will be better. its complete wishful thinking. See Sarah Wollaston!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36485464

the people who are voting leave seem to want to set fire to things and watch them burn. there will be no winners.

"get some skills" - your compassion for the lower paid is clearly not a skill you've honed ever.

I'm alright Jack, is really the message from lots of remainers. Tell me, you don't happen to be landlord too do you? Worried about the never ending supply of low paid workers willing to bunk up and pay off the investment?

I ask as you appear to have the attitude that some house of multiple occupation type landlords have.

haha! nope - not a landlord.

I wont apologise for thinking ambition and wanting to get on in life is a good thing.