"If we leave the EU we will have to obey all the European rules on the single market without the possibility of influencing their making"
No. The only thing we would have to ensure is that our exports to the EU's single market would have to meet the requirements of the single market, just like the exports to the single market from the USA, Japan, Norway, Switzerland or anywhere else. Our position would be no different than any other country outside the EU.

Only a small part of our economy is involved in trade with the EU, but 100% of it is affected by single market regulations which is especially difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises on which our economy depends.

"If we leave, we will have to follow EU laws relating to internal security and foreign policy without being able to influence their making"
This is pre-supposing that we exert influence at the moment, and that such policies work to our advantage, and that we'd lose more than we'd gain if we left the EU! The opposite is more likely, we'd gain more than we'd lose!

Dr Richard North considers some "alternative mechanisms for dealing with the many issues requiring cross-border co-operation or co-ordination, outside the framework of the European Union" in his essay on the EU constitution.

Regarding police and judicial co-operation, he points out that the emphasis should be on taking a wider perspective. Compared to 'Interpol', Dr North writes:
"it is hard to accept any rationale for the much smaller and more geographically limited 'Europol', other than its value as a mechanism for European political integration."

Nor are we precluded from "making bilateral agreements, to serve more specific needs."

Regarding foreign policy, national ministers will still meet and act outside of the official EU framework. As Dr North writes: "Given a political will, common polices can be developed without needing institutional architecture, while the existence of formal institutions, in the absence of political will, in no way assures agreement on common action … Should there develop a need to initiate formal common action on a European level … the Council of Europe still exists and could provide an adequate forum for discussion and negotiation. Where a common military approach is desired, the institution of Nato can still provide an adequate means for co-ordinating action."

"Being in the EU means we have the right to travel, work, study and live, visa-free throughout the EU"
It is wrong to suggest all these things would somehow come to an end if Britain left the EU. Any positive benefits which accrue from the present system would continue to exist in those cases where it was in European countries' mutual interests for such benefits to continue to exist.

New legal agreements between countries would be drafted as quickly as you can say "jobs for lawyers".

"Leaving the EU today would cause huge disruption"
It's been said that Britain could leave the EU in "13 and a half hours". This is the record time for passing a Bill through three readings in each House and obtaining Royal Assent. It was done on the occasion of the Abdication Act of Edward VII, in December 1936.

Ideally, though, leaving the EU could be a measured process that could occur over the lifetime of a Parliament.

"The EU improves working conditions for employees"
Firstly, to the extent this may be the case in some instances, it doesn't change the fact that we don't need the EU to do it. Our own government could do it just as easily. Moreover, leaving the EU will not see the improved conditions disappear.

Secondly, being in the EU creates considerable problems in regard to red tape, for the other side of the equation; employers, especially those with small and medium-sized businesses -- leading to unemployment.

Thirdly, is the de-industrialisation of Britain -- on-going since 1973 -- really a price worth paying for "improved working conditions" for a minority, in some cases?

OVER 100,000 UNDEMOCRATIC REGULATIONS BIND US
In January 2003, Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked the Government how many Regulations Brussels had issued since Britain joined the European Community in 1973. Unlike Directives, the Regulations are immediately binding.

Lady Symons, deputy leader of the Lords, gave year-by-year figures showing the total as 101,811 up to August 2002. (13 January 2003, Lords Written Answers, "EC Regulations", Hansard, Volume No. 643)

Over 100,000 automatic Regulations from Brussels, all legally binding and none of them subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. So much for democracy!