A splendid list DGR. But just as tragic as all the fake news, is the real news that was suppressed.
I know we all know this positive news, and for others it is misunderstood and is too late. But here’s a counter summary of the things we either took for granted, or things that were kept quiet whilst the government claimed credit for them.
The Union of which we were a leading force did not have as wide a range of powers as many thought, but in the limited areas where we allowed it to have some input (such as the environment, food and workers rights) our membership made a significant difference:
Air travel-cheaper,safer.
Arrest warrant-European arrest warrant making pursuit of crime easier.
Beaches and rivers-Despite not having as many powers as the Leavers seemed to think it had the EU did contribute to improved cleaner,safer coastal regions.
Child abduction- Again, although not having as many powers as some seemed to think, the EU enforced a useful laws on domestic issues such as child maintenance and abduction.
Consumer protection-one of the limited areas where the EU has had power to improve consumer protection and better product safety.
Cross border policing to help combat human trafficking, arms and drug smuggling.
Environmental standards-Meaningful agreement on environmental standards only ever can come from collaboration.Do we really think Gove will lead the way environmentally on his own? The EU leads the world on environmental policy. Investment into alternative energy etc.
Equal pay-There has been some EU influence on women’s rights; although there is still a pay gap it would have been worse otherwise.
Food- ban on growth hormones and other harmful food additives and improved food labelling.
Freedom to travel, live and work across Europe. At least 1.8 Million Brits living in other EU countries.
Global companies-Enormous global companies setting up their European bases in London as a gateway to Europe- now quitting daily of course.
Health-Access to European health services with the EHIC card etc.
Holiday entitlement- basic work holiday allocation. Like Frances O’Grady of the Trade Union Congress chief I believe these rights are at risk now. There will be pressure from businesses to relax the existing regulations and we all know how weak employment rights are in the US and that is the way we are headed too.
Human rights-Support for democracy and human rights across Europe and beyond.
Jobs-Our link to Europe fostered millions of jobs. Huge global companies are reducing, rationalising, leaving. See the list of businesses already quitting on the charting our nemesis thread.
Lead free petrol
Military-European civil and military co-operation in post-conflict zones in Europe and Africa.
Mobile charges-cheaper, easier.
Patents-Europe-wide patent and copyright protection.
Peace- The real reason why the EU was originated were all about peace- to make the horror of WWI and II impossible to repeat by linking the European economies and trade together.A lasting peace with the EU standing together with us predominantly at the helm. 60 years as the foundation of peace between European neighbours after centuries of bloodshed. It also assisted the political, social and economic transformation of former dictatorships.
Regeneration- North of England, Wales regions that our own government has been much less inclined to invest in. Structural funding to areas hit by former industrial decline.
Single market -No paperwork or customs for exports throughout the single market.
Solidarity-The EU represented solidarity against extremism. We are almost certainly weaker and more vulnerable alone.
Smoke-free workplaces.
Terrorism-Counter terrorism intelligence.
Trade -Providing 57% of our trade.The EU, and its 740 million consumers, is in a much better position to negotiate with the world than the UK alone (with just 64 million consumers).
Universities-EU-funded research and collaboration.
Maternity and paternity leave-The EU helped lay down minimum maternity/paternity leave protections although we have altered these..
Wildlife protection -stronger than elsewhere in the world.
Work placements- Funded opportunities for young people to undertake study or work placements abroad.
Working week-The right not to work more than a 48-hour week unless choosing otherwise.
WTO-Bloc negotiation at the WTO.