From today's Times
"John Whittingdale is culture secretary
As a schoolboy, I campaigned in the 1975 referendum for Britain to stay in what was then the Common Market. I did so because I have always believed in the benefits of free trade. I was also reassured by the clear promise that the sovereignty of parliament would be unaffected. A government leaflet delivered through every door stated that, “No important new policy can be decided in Brussels or anywhere else without the consent of a British minister answerable to a British government and British parliament”.
That key principle has been steadily eroded. The introduction of qualified majority voting that allowed member states to be overruled has been extended into more areas under successive treaty changes. Time and again, we are told that we must implement directives from Brussels that are against our national interest and that we opposed. At the same time, we are told that we cannot make changes to our own legislation because to do so will be in breach of European law.
I hoped that it would be possible for us to negotiate a new relationship with the EU but this has proved impossible. The outcome of the prime minister’s negotiations does represent an improvement. However, it falls a long way short of the new arrangement I would like to see. In particular, it still means our courts and parliament have to comply with decisions taken in Brussels, and that we have no ability to control our borders. The only way we can regain control over these areas is by negotiating new agreements with Europe from outside the EU.
There will be much debate about what life would be like after Brexit. Some are drawing comparisons with the arrangements for Norway, Canada or Switzerland. However, we are like none of these countries. We are the fifth biggest economy in the world, one of five permanent members of the UN security council, a leading member of Nato and one of the G7.
Outside the EU, we will be free to negotiate trade deals not just with the EU but countries such as the US, China and India. We have a trade deficit with the rest of the EU of about £60 billion so it is very much in their interests that we quickly conclude a new free trade arrangement. However, we will no longer be required to impose regulations on business that add up to £33 billion. Nor will we have to go on sending over £350 million to Brussels each week and can instead spend that money on our own priorities.
This is why I am supporting the Vote Leave campaign. However, I am pleased that, thanks to the prime minister and this Conservative government, it is the British people who will decide."
And some articles about Turkey's position re: joining the EU
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3484445/Turkey-blackmailed-Britain-migrant-crisis-backing-EU-membership-open-door-77-million-people-Tory-MPs-claim.html
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3484988/PM-sped-away-fast-rabbit-dog-track-QUENTIN-LETTS-sees-Cameron-dodge-row-Turks.html