The right wing is too cognitively dissonant, in my opinion, to be taken very seriously regarding the "methodology" in reaching their foreign policy decisions.
Why do you believe we would be worse off with more trade, rather than less trade?
The cost of the trade is always an issue. Not just in dollars and jobs. But in baggage that comes with it. When the politicians you elect are no longer able, much less willing, to represent you because of dictates from another more powerful group, you have a problem. When you have nearly no influence as a nation over the direction of that larger more powerful group, you have a real problem. When that group can decide not only the business policies and laws your nation will follow, but social, and legal standards you must follow, the problem is enormous.
The truth about a restricted democracy, or Representative Republic is that it allows for small changed within the framework that everyone agrees to. The rights of the individual are laid out, and protected. The Government’s duties and responsibilities are laid out and the people expect the elected to act in a manner which is within those rules and limits.
The truth about the EU is that it is can never be a restricted Democracy, or a Representative Republic. What began as a economic association has become a social, and legal group that dictates to the Nations that are member, which really aren’t nations anymore.
Look at the economic recession we endured what, ten years ago? How many nations are even now still struggling because they could not enact any economic reforms or take economic actions? They did not print the money, and therefor had no say over the money that was in use. The British had control over their money, and the course they charted was different than the EU, and seems to have worked well enough. The course Greece or Italy or Spain, all of which are still suffering huge unemployment and lost billions of Euro’s in value was one of begging for assistance.
They were in effect like the States of America, instead of the equivalent of the United States as a nation. They answered to the EU. They obeyed the instructions from the EU, which where monetary policy and trade policy is settled, gives the power to the largest most powerful nations.
It turned the smaller nations into servents of the German and French economies and wishes. Enough people in Britain saw that to demand a change. Now the future is uncertain, because whenever you make a big change, it is always uncertain. But you are going for more independence, more freedom, and more say in the lives of yourself, your family, and your fellow Britain’s. Is the ability to trade with Germany and France really that awesome when British products aren’t bought with nearly the same zest as German products? Will the average German Car buyer walk past a Volkswagen built in Germany to buy a Nissan built in England? Will the French stop buying Peugeot or Citroen? Will Italy choose English brand names over Fiat?
It was never a good thing, and it isn’t a good thing today for Britain or anyone.