it's up to you brits to decide whether you wanna stay or leave.

i do think the way things are can't stay for long... so either we as europeans put nationalities aside and collectively opt to form a real federation or we might as well go back to the way things were way back when.

continuing to a federation solution would obviously mean the bigger economies would have to increase the solidarity to the weaker economies, much in the same way as the main bulk of the budget in a given country is generated in it's richer cities and then a part distributed to the least economically independent ones.

that's a pill that is hard to swallow for the electorate of the net contributors, but it's entirely up to them to balance out what they see as the more important goal.

isolation will have costs that probably outweigh the benefits that seem easier to comprehend for the more simpleton voter.

anyway, let's see what come of it. gl uk

Re-read it, and that 0.6% is their best-cae scenario. It could be anywhere from 0.6-14% according to them.

As for the financial sector, I very much doubt that'll happen and even if it does, London will be an exception. It brings in too much for that.

I honestly never thought I'd see anyone from the UK (or any EU country actually) support that. National identity tends to be quite strong in European countries thanks to the history we all have. The UK especially as we're also physically seperated from the rest of Europe.

Exactly how I see it. We are stronger together and I don't see the need to become so isolationist. For all it's flaws, I think the EU ultimately benefits us even if there are parts we don't like. That is just life really.

I'm only open to a new referendum so I (and many people I know who I suspect form a silent majority) can have our say to state we DO want to be part of the EU.

european here too first and foremost, i see my nationality as less defining of myself as the fact i am a european. no matter how proud a person can be of their individual country, collectively we are stronger and the birthplace of modern civilization. EU pride ;)

I hope Europe lifts heavy embargos against the UK if this happens.

The problem with the EU is that they tollerate everything (from certain countries especially France) and are punishing others for not making an agreement where other countries get delays. The UK needed to pay a 2 billion tax because there economy grew in 2014, the Netherlands had to pay half a billion euro's while France recieved one billion euro's. The EU has become a help institute for the poor and by that becomes obnoxious to the strong economies in Europe, which have to pay and pay and pay. Yet they don't have any real influence on that countries policy's the EU should become more punishing towards countries that screw up. Take Greece for instance I would say if Greece doesn't have their crap in order within 6 months or haven't made any improvement an EU force should make a plan for them. If they don't agree to that plan they stop recieving money and will be kicked out of the EU. 

The EU should become more assertive and draw clear lines, which are for every EU member, saying Greece, Spain, Ireland, Portugal and Italy are to blame is not the whole story. Stupid policy's and untransparrent actions brought the EU where it is today, if EU's policy's where clear and if there were clear boundaries to economics and membership the EU would be much stronger and actually relevant instead of the weak uncertain market it is today.  

Not going to pretend I know a whole lot about this issue, as I only know from what I skimmed and then read through the comments. But when will this decision be made? Soon or in 2018? And what is the actual likelihood of UK splitting from the EU?

I watch the news everyday I'd I've never heard of Brexit before.

Europe is to diverse for thst to be honest, secondly swiss and norway wouldn't join. Neither would any country which doesn't have the Euro. Would you be glad to hand over the profit of the hard earned North Western economies to support the broke corrupted states even further. I don't want to see that happen since that would tore our continent appart even further. The EU must become more of what the EEC was a party for environmental care, economical colobration and control, controling migration and millitary defense nor shouldn't concern itself with every law made in each state it should lose it's big brother's attitude. The EU should set out a few clear lines to which countries need to obey to stay in the Union (rules about corruption, debt etc.).

It's also what UK wants these days 75% of your lws are delgated from EU policy's.