I agree, although it depends on the products being manufactured and the longevity of those items.
Even with products manufactured in highly automated factories, there are other costs to consider.

The biggest costs in a country with limit available land is the cost of said land and the council taxes associated with owning said land.

Because no previous member has left and survived once one does it will open the flood gates

And the investment in state of the art machinery, which may or may not receive substantial government funding, China for example.

Chinese manufacturing is unbelievable, in the way that they will invest to get a project off the ground.
They are driven to try and achieve double digit growth year on year, substantially helped by their government and then you have to contend with $60/70 per MONTH wages for their employees.

Following this model they have sucked the life out of UK and US manufacturing and I genuinely dont think we are in any position to compete.
They (The Chinese) have also begun to invest heavily in Africa, which will help to prolong their dominance as a manufacturing powerhouse.
You hen have India and Bangladesh for more labour intensive manufacturing, which again, we just cannot hope to compete with.
WE are strong (ish) in engineering and very innovative as a nation but, this wont pull huge numbers of manufacturing jobs back to the UK, whether we are in or out of The EU.

This country manufactures much more than most of recognises - suggest you watch the last episode of the Top Gear series where they lined up just the vehicles we manufacture in the UK. We are a strong manufacturing country - especially vehicles - these skills are transferable to suggest not is mad - the EU will not be the end of the this country economically it will be the making of it.

I hope you are right but, why would we need to be outside the EU to take these opportunities.
What exactly has been stopping us from "taking advantage" previously.
Also, the car industry we have relies on export to the EU, which will necessarily become more difficult, and there is a very real possibility that the "foreign" owned companies will re locate to a more "strong and stable" environment and take away any risks associated with manufacture outside the EU.
Nissan were made some promises by the May government to secure that they gave the UK the "next model" but what happens next time, when we will be outside the market that they want to "service".

Greenland left the eu because greenlands only industry fishing was legitimately looted under Europe law. So Greenland left the eu they now have control over fishing and the country is flourishing.
Admittedly Greenland is only a tiny country but they were a member of the eu and it was a disaster.

So far, the two ringing endorsements for life outside the EU are an episode of Top Gear, and Greenland.

I feel better already.

We also import a lot of vehicles so it could be that European manufacturers will open plants here to satisfy the demand for their vehicles?

Historically we have built markets within Europe because its closer - those skills that developed those markets are going to disappear when we leave they will put to use finding alternatives I would have thought?

I cannot understand why people think the UK is poor commercially that any prosperity we have is because of Europe and not because of the participants in the UK that makes these things happen.

The world will still go on turning, no doubt about it and we are not talking life and death here.

The issue surely is whether as a nation and as members of the public, will we be better off on the outside ?

I fully understand the need to control mass migration and without doubt there has to be a change.(although numbers may reduce from the EU, there seems a strong likelihood that they will increase from elsewhere in the world, particularly Asia).

Regarding the potential new, untapped markets.
Where are they and why the hell haven't we done anything about developing them already.
We shouldn't be losing or diminishing one market and replacing it with another, we should be getting the best for the UK across the board.

Almost 12 months on from the vote, ALL of the talk is about survival and not prosperity and of course our trade with Europe larger then with other countries, it's on the doorstep and there are no trade barriers.

You may be right about the possibility of The Germans setting up manufacturing plant over here but, there haven't been any noises along those lines yet.

We may prosper outside the EU but, we weren't exactly suffering within it ??

The UK has rolled the dice and gambled, when there was no need to jeopardise where we were.
Instead, we should have worked from within to improve those areas that we were not happy with and not throw our teddy out of the pram.

The EU is a massive corrupt organisation - when was the last time its accounts were signed off?

It is dominated by the Germans and the French and is run to benefit them principally. Only Thatcher had any influence in Europe no PM since has possibly because they are all looking for a cushy commissioner role and the easy rich life it brings.

Do you really want your laws being made by a group with no interest or understanding of the particular needs of your country? What is the point of the Government if all they are doing is rubber stamping EU law?

Why would the Germans need to say anything it will upset the talks and give the UK an edge if private companies declare they will set up in Britain if the deal is a good one. The EU/Junkers is already crying wolf because we wont do as we are told - I see no way of an agreement the sides are too far apart and both will lose too much face.

Finally there is the question of the financial cost of being a member - perhaps we can use some of billions we pay in to support our own workers rather than those in eastern Europe?

Or maybe could give 350 million quid a week to the NHS?

Oh wait...

One thing is sure better for us to decide where the money goes

Sal is that nauseating fat abhorrent tunc Clarkson in disguise.

First of all the £350 million was the gross figure and what if, after we've left, the £175million (net figure) turns out to be money well spent ie, less than the financial reverse of being on the outside.

We could then have concentrated on opening up new markets from within the EU and "having jam on it" and occasionally "cream and a cherry on top".

Fortunately I don't feel the need to wear red underwear and socks in support of comrade Corbyn like you.

Socialism doesn't work it has never worked why you keep grasping at straws I will never know - one of life's great mysteries. What is funny you think you can look down on everyone from your idealist high command - it would be tragic if it weren't so stupid.

Perhaps a more balanced view of the economic effects of Brexit, etc: www.standard.co.uk/business/anth ... 28261.html

Perhaps a more balanced view of the economic effects of Brexit, etc: www.standard.co.uk/business/anth ... 28261.html

Calm down Jezza lad.

Quote ="Dally"Perhaps a more balanced view of the economic effects of Brexit, etc: www.standard.co.uk/business/anth ... 28261.html'" and from the same Journalist: www.standard.co.uk/business/anth ... 29396.html So what now ??

Quote ="Dally"Perhaps a more balanced view of the economic effects of Brexit, etc: www.standard.co.uk/business/anth ... 28261.html'" and from the same Journalist: www.standard.co.uk/business/anth ... 29396.html So what now ??

As he suggests a long-term industrial policy (which May announced a while back as being in the mix as I recall).

It'll be interesting to see what the 'divorce settlement' is finally going to be. So far I've seen £40 billion, £50 billion, £60 billion and only yesterday €100 billion.

Anyone would think the media are throwing out ever increasing figures in an attempt to unsettle people. But as if they'd do that eh?

The big figure is cynical manipulation no doubt at the behest of the UK government. We will end up paying the 60 billion originally mentioned (that apparently we were not going to pay) and May will dress it up as showing her strength in reducing it from nearer 100 billion. The money will not be a lump sum and never was to be, so the fact it's paid over time will also be a pretend success.

If the EU is expecting the UK to pay £60bn and no concessions then it is deluded - the problem is without the UK monies the EU can't function and it doesn't appear that any of the other countries want to stump up anymore to keep the thing on an even keel.

I would suggest this crack in the united front can be used to the UK's benefit during negotiations

May has put herself and her leadership above all else.

Unless you are certain of winning a battle, why the hell would you wind up you "enemies" before you go into "war".
The rhetoric used by May yesterday was reckless and it seems that perhaps she will do anything for 5 more years in the "big chair".
In the words of Allo, Allo, "you stupid woman".

She should be trying to find friends and allies in the EU and not hacking them off.
The job was hard enough already.

It worked for Thatcher and I can't see any benefit in being seen as an easy touch - the EU need to realise that they are not going to steam roller over us and get everything they want.

She is in a position where there are 27 to 1 so you have to be pretty tough when the odds are staked that far in favour of one side. The idea that you can befriend one or two leaders and it will sway the other 25/26 in ludicrous in my view.

As she has said "No deal is better than a bad deal"