Ross Miller wrote:The truth of the matter is that we do not know what terms the EU would impose/demand on exit, in order for us to continue to trade with them.
We've been through all of this before with the Corn Laws 150 years ago.
Tariff Barriers, whilst offering a short term solution, have the effect of reducing trade and standards of living for [U]all[/U] parties involved in the long run. By artificially restricting imports industry is allowed to carry on working inefficiently.
A prime example is the Common Agricultural Policy which subsidises inefficient French farms which are too small to enjoy the economies of size since all real estate in France is governed by French succession laws under the Napoleonic Code and at the same time leaves much of central Africa in poverty by discriminating against their imports.
The idea of a group of countries conspiring against us to 'teach us a lesson' like a group of surly children when it will adversely affect their wealth and employment rate is ludicrous.