Brian Hindley & Martin Howe
The first edition of this controversial book in 1996
significantly influenced the debate about Britain’s relationship
with the rest of the European Union. Its analysis of the costs
and benefits of EU membership showed that they are finely
balanced: there is no basis for the claim that if Britain were
to withdraw from the EU there would be ‘dire economic
consequences’.
Adherence to the Common Agricultural Policy is the major
economic cost of EU membership. Escape from the CAP would
be a clear gain but would be offset or partially offset by
some increase in tariffs on British exports to other EU
countries and (possibly) some loss of inward investment.
Intangible costs of membership include the costs of EU
regulation.
This new and revised edition of Better Off Out? brings up to
date the estimates made in 1996 and shows that subsequent
studies have independently confirmed its conclusion that the
net economic effect of EU membership is close to zero. It
does not argue for Britain’s withdrawal. But, the authors say,
withdrawal should ‘not be dismissed as a practical option for
the nation, if membership imposes conditions that the
country finds onerous’.
