THE TELEGRAPH: There are many things to celebrate about Europe. We enjoy the freedom to travel on the Continent with few, if any, obstructions.
Some of us own houses, live, work and do business there. We enjoy the French wine, Spanish sun and German cars. Many of us appreciate the openness of Europe and the cultural exchanges.
Many European nationals work here, bringing us economic benefits. There are considerable lifestyle benefits of being part of a "European family". And many of us would feel substantially poorer if we lost these benefits.
Similarly, many nationals from the other EU member states benefit from their relationship with Britain. They value the freedom to travel and work here. And they import over £200bn of our goods and services – from pharmaceuticals to financial services.
The relationship between the UK and the other EU member states is positive and mutually beneficial.
If we were to adopt a looser relationship with the EU, based on trade and cooperation, whilst opting out of political and economic union, the critical question has to be, would we lose out on these benefits?
The simple answer is that it would depend on how the British Government negotiated our new relationship with the EU.
But it is inconceivable that, in the negotiations, they would throw away the lifestyle benefits that so many, on both sides of the Channel, value.
Switzerland is an interesting "model" which we can learn from. The Swiss trade freely with the EU through agreements going back to the early 1970s – though they do retain their customs controls as they are not in the EU's Customs Union.
This is, however, no block on trade. Their economy is more closely integrated with the EU than Britain's. And, principally through two sets of bilateral agreements negotiated with the EU, they have close associations in many other policy areas.*
Indeed they have more bilateral agreements with the EU than any other state. Let the UK take a Swiss role in the EU (more) By Sir Rocco Forte
*Clive Church (ed), Switzerland the European Union, Routledge, 2007.
Looser EU ties can only help the British economy By Norman Lamont
How Britain can get the best out of Europe By Ruth Lea
Mark Alexander
