Calum, you write an interesting article and it is good that we’re all engaged in this debate, but sadly it is littered with many flaws, not least of which is the premise right at the very beginning and the main reason for it being misguided…

You’re premise is… “that we must retain access to the ‘free market’” (by the way it isn’t a ‘free market’ because it only includes the 27 EU member states not the whole of the world).

Economics Prof. Patrick Minford gives an excellent explanation on the reasons why we do not, and will not need unfettered access to this so called ‘free market’ here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leKEUT1TiLU&list=PLcSIBNh6GiQqpmOLt8hv5K-iZS9rtcVlT&index=9

Although you correctly state “The UK exports 44.6% of all exports to the EU, so the reduction in sales for UK businesses could be very significant.” you fail to balance that view with the other more important fact that over the 15 year period 1999–2014, exports to the EU as a proportion of all UK exports has declined from a high of 55% in 1999 to a low of 45% in 2014.

Furthermore, it’s also worth noting that “services” (such as financial, accountancy, consultancy, legal services) now account for more than two fifths of all UK exports. The last decade has seen exports of services become increasingly important as a proportion of all UK exports — edging up from 37% in 2004 to 43% in 2014.

Where trade in services is concerned, the EU accounts for just 37% of the UK’s services exports, with 63% going to non-EU countries, in 2014.

Also the bigger fundamental issue is this…

Democracy overrules everything.

That is the main reason why I believe the British public will take back control from the EU on 23rd June, and I hope that you may still have an open mind and do some more research before voting yourself :)

PS “And we already control our borders, so the benefit for leaving is limited.” I find this statement to be incredulous!