Well, firstly if you want Norway to play any role internationally - which admittedly you may not, and that is fine - being a member of the EU is the only realistic way that any of us insignificant European nations can affect change on the global scene. For instance there was a good leader in the Observer today - http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/stor...251584,00.html - which illustrated the point. Alone any one European nation cannot do a damn thing about China's human right abuses, pollution and political situation, but inside the EU and working within the context of the largest single market in the world, European nations have a powerful voice and more importantly, a strong economic voice. China cannot hurt the EU economically if it dislikes what we say without significantly hurting its own growth. Norway at the moment plays no part and you may say that the very fact you are outside of the EU gives you some kind of voice, but that would be both naive and wrong.

EA - it is easy for you to deride and laugh off what some people have said here - but if I was in Norway I would be angry. It is a fact Norway have to play by our rules for their own economic benefit - yet they do not get a chance to effect them. For whatever you say about the way the EU goes about it's business and whatever you may think of 'our' say, we do have a significant seat at the table - a disproportionate one, really - and we effect what happens. What UKIP - and having met and argued with the deputy leader of them, I can assure you they are clueless - and other Eurosceptics don't realise, is that by pulling ourselves out of the EU, we may have a theoretical and aesthetic look of independence and control but realistically we loose whatever control we had over the state of our affairs, in this increasingly globalised world.

Hore - the argument is not now simply between the businessman wanting to join and the worried farmer and worker not wanting increased competition. No, the argument is how best a nation in such an increasingly globalised economy in which more than ever, companies half way around the world directly effect prices at home, how every nation can best ride the wave and do the best for their people. Within the EU it is, quite simply, easier. Forget old arguments - and for the record, the anti EU ones are quite poor anyway - they are increasingly meaningless.

In 20 years time when the Eastern block of new states are economically sound and pumping the EU economy forward, the EU will be in an even stronger position, it is better to get on board now and enjoy the ride, rather than be left behind.