What people also seem ignorant of, is that most of the European Union, at least the old core nations in the northern part, are more advanced social and economically than the UK. And over forty years the UK has been playing catch-up across a broad set of parametres, which have benefited 'ordinary people' in the UK. Worker's rights, the environment, regional support, cultural support... there are lots of areas. One can also appeal to the European Court in relation to human rights. For me the UK seemed a rather backward place, narrow-minded and parochial compared to Europe. I remember how bad the food was in the UK compared to Europe forty years ago, now things are better. Of course for many on the left, this is close to heresy.