Oh my. Brexit. What does it mean?

[eppie]

I think you're under selling the sovereignty side of the issue here Jester. Think of it this way. What if the US, Canada, Mexico, and several of the countries in Central America and the Caribbean all decided to form an governmental block and then overall bureaucracy was set up in the Bahamas. Said bureaucracy then informed each country that there were certain rules and regulations that all of them have to follow. And those countires (the US, Canada, and Mexico) that have been self governing for a while suddenly had to start following the bureaucracy from the Bahamas even though some of the regulations ran counter to what said self governing countries have been able to deal with themselves for a while. It's going to chafe and eventually you're going to reach a point where something happens that breaks the proverbial camel's back. This is a major issue I've seen from people I know in GB. It's more than just the migrant situation, it also has something to do with self rule (and funnily, the Scots are now thinking again of possible voting for independence since they want to be part of the EU where as England and Wales do not, and I'm not sure on Northern Ireland's stance as Ireland is part of the EU).

Well, it remains a very populistic thing.
I agree there are a lot of things wrong in the EU, but many of the things you mention happen in any state. However if you have someone to blame like Europe it is an easy win for a politician.
Many old brits wanted to have back their imperial measure system. So people would complain about the logical use of grams and meter....instead they decided to go back to the completely unworkable, miles, feet, ounces and pounds (and they apparently are willing to give 20 % of their wealth for that ).
I think 90% of the things for which people voted for a brexit will not be changed when the UK becomes independent again.
In the case of the UK. The conservatives will keep trying to squeeze out the working class and favour the rich.....they are of course not now all of a suddenly start caring about NHS.
There will be loads of foreigners in the UK, but that happens if you want to rule the world and colonize half of that world....that is not because of the EU. As an independent country the UK will also keep taking up refugees....the amount will depend on the government at the time....not on the EU.