Burnham - rejoin Europe in one shape or form?

Yes, I agree, things are too much in confusion. I'm just glad we could be able to better trade with Europe our neighbours and in terms of how awful Trump is I want us to draw closer to our real allies.

I'm not bothered about their growth figures. I just want ourbusinessmen and women and farmers and so on to be able to trade well, to sell our stuff, to buy ore easily, to move things quicker, not to incur customs fees, nor all the red tape currently facing people, and promote less and less reliance on the USA.

No to rejoining

We have a few options open. One being the Swiss agreement. The other being the Norwegian route. I think it unlikely st present that we will become fully paid up members again.

Yes, the EU is different now. It's worse. If you think they are doing so much better than us, their GDP increase in 2025 was 2.4%, ours was 2.2% so little difference. France managed to grow by about 0.8% but that far exceeded the 0.2% growth in Germany.

Ireland accounted for roughly 40% of EU growth all on its own but that is because it is a hub for multi-national corporations, mainly American. Trump can change that at any time.

Other countries in the EU always went their own sweet way and didn’t toe the line, but the UK muggings always followed things to the letter of the law.
I don’t think we should return to the EU as having a referendum would be a disaster once again, it was way too divisive as it was.
Edging closer maybe in various ways but not re-joining.