Will we vote with our hearts or our brains?

Unencumbered by a Liberal Democrat coalition partner dedicated to the concept of the European Union, the government is starting to renegotiate our relationship with the rest of Europe.

There are things some people do not very much like about the way the EU has developed since we first joined what was then the European Economic Community in 1973. It was never intended to be a political union, but rather something that allowed countries in Europe to cooperate for mutual benefit. That we had not signed up to the Treaty of Rome in 1957 was probably largely due to our then trade relationship with the Commonwealth. In hindsight, this might be seen as unfortunate because, inside it at an early stage, we might have been in a better position to influence its later development.

Since modest beginnings based on a customs union, the body had become increasingly bureaucratic and - its critics would argue - intrusive. Many of the criticisms levelled against it are based on apocryphal stories about straight bananas and banned bagpipes (so much for an independent Scotland wanting to stay in the EU, some might argue). Yet there are also many aspects of the system that have benefitted us just as much as the downsides of waste, or the duplication of administrative efforts with national governments, have potentially harmed us.

For example, the human rights legislation - altering which the government appears to have back-peddled on, in the Queen's Speech - has probably helped protect more citizens than the number of criminals who have benefitted from its protection. Yet UKIP and the right wing of the conservative party hate it because it prevents them from throwing certain individuals out of the country.

But, less emotively, we need to recognise that it could well be in our economic interests to remain part of the EU. That we are not part of the Eurozone is certainly working in our favour at the moment and it might never be appropriate for us to join. But equally, given that more than half our trade is with EU member states, cutting ourselves off from it could be extremely damaging to our businesses - and therefore jobs and investments. Almost all our investments and pensions depend to some extent on the success of British companies.

During the next few months, we are likely to hear about potential gains and losses in the negotiations. Some or all of these may bear little resemblance to what is actually going on; that is a facet of how the media and politicians interact. But once we finally know what is on offer, we will be in a position to consider the impact that any renegotiated relationship with the rest of the EU would have on us.

We will probably end up with three options:

1. Carry on as we are, because the renegotiations failed;

2. Vote to stay in with something that looks slightly (or very) different; or

3. To leave the EU altogether.

Whatever we decide, it should be based on facts - and as many of them as we can get - rather than the emotive pressures of those who simply want to distance ourselves from Johnny Foreigner.

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Stephen Phillips is a member of the Shepway Liberal Democrats, and his views are not necessarily those of the Party. He has been writing professionally for many years on investment and economic related issues, and has focussed recently on creative writing.

You can find Stephen online at www.phillips-writer.co.uk