I know very little about economics, but it seems to me the UK is bolstered from economic and other turmoil by being part of such a strong coalition - despite its many, many failings and rampant bureaucracy.

The currency markets seem to agree and are very jittery about the very real possibility of the UK leaving.

Like most large regions, the whole of European history is steeped in conflict and war, with shifting alliances and animosity. Every state has its friends and enemies, but there's a long standing sense of entitlement in the UK (probably most evident in England itself.) They've never recovered from the fact they are no longer an empire that rules globally and being a part ot the EU has been a sore point for so many (I think) due to the lack of absolute control and a feeling of impotence or enforced weakness. Part of that stems from the fact that they are a global economic and banking force and are often blocked from doing what they want by other EU members.

I think the EU has been an incredibly strong, stabilising influence on not just the economies but in dealing with conflict and avoiding it through more diplomatic means. It deoesn't stop all confilct or favour every economy, but overall I think it's a force for good.

I'm immensely sad to see the vote to leave so strong, particularly in England. It seems so bllinkered and short-sighted. It reminds me of the apocryphal story when heavy fog covered the English Channel - the closest point between the UK and mainland Europe. The headlines in the papers "Fog in Channel - Continent Cut Off".