I am far from happy about the EU trying to impose their will on sovereign states, HOWEVER.... very little of what is left of the major manufacturing companies in the UK are British owned, the steel and car manufacturing industries being recent topical examples.
A large part of our manufacturing industry has fallen victim to "market forces" whereby we don't make anything anymore because the Chinese and Indian's can make it (whatever "it" is) for a fraction of the cost. I am well aware of the shoddy workmanship and materials used a lot of the time but this doesn't seem to make a difference anymore - all that matters now is that "it" is cheap.
Foreign owners only make stuff here because it gives them an "in" to EU markets. If we leave, then so will they to another EU country and that will be the end of any remaining significant manufacturing here (it is already happening)
This country is a specialist in one industry in particular i.e. financial services. London is widely trumpeted as the financial capital of the world which may well be true right now however I would argue that this is the last remaining field in which we are a world leader.
In my opinion, leaving the EU and turning this country into "Little Britain" would be a disaster of monumental proportions. The idea that it will be "business as usual" if we leave is completely delusional. Anyone who watched the voting in the Eurovision song contest anytime in the last 10 years or so will realise that the rest of Europe basically ostracises us and it will be the same in business. You may well say "**** em" then but if no one buys our goods and services, it is actually us getting ****ed... Likewise, the stuff being put around that the rest of the world will be queuing up to do business with the UK is, at best, fanciful and naïve.
Leaving the EU will be the beginning of the end of the UK having any voice with the grown ups. We will become marginalised and a second rate country with little influence on anything and things will will really unravel if the rest of the world decides that they have had enough of London calling the financial shots (and sooner or later, it WILL happen if we leave). Eventually, there will be nothing left of industry in this country except for call centres - the one's that haven't gone to India that is....
So in summary, whilst I intensely dislike the French and German's idea of a United States of Europe, the alternative is, IMHO, way worse. We need to stay in and fight the idea of the federalisation of Europe and in this respect, we are far from alone. The Visegrad countries are certainly in accord with the UK on this subject and as the migrant situation in Europe worsens, others will join the fight.
There you go, there is my 4p's worth and, on a Friday night too...!!!