We all have to recognise many uncomfortable realities from both sides of the debate, don't we, and there is obviously a lack of trust building up here whenever evidence is provided? But surely it does neither side any good to be unwilling to address uncomfortable realities and defend, without retaining an open mind and accept and try to address failures from wherever they arise?
This is exactly what happened from both leave and remain camps during the referendum, which is why many did their own research from as wide a perspective as possible. Many that I know didn't just rely on a right or left wing agenda, but the majority listened to live debates in a desperate attempt to gain information, where many opinions and concerns were voiced and independently chaired by those who were tasked with gaining a balance of views and "evidence".
Where these TV debates took place in differing regions of the UK ( such as "Question Time" just as one example) it proved quite an education, as many citizens in the audience ( from a wide and diverse mix that changed each week) were making their observations from their own first hand experiences, and there were patterns of concerns occurring depending on the region, the nature of local work and study, the social mix, the prevalence of migrants in their region, and those who were once migrants but had settled and successfully integrated into their communities having become residents after many years....
It proved quite an eye opener to be honest, but appeared to reinforce the need not to generalise and try to retain an open mind wherever possible, as each region had its own impact ( whether positive or negative). But these live debates proved to be a means of gaining a far better appreciation at both regional and national level, since they provided a valid picture of first hand observations and where applicable, concerns, under open debate.
One of the aspects that hasn't been discussed here is that many people who have permanently settled in the UK appear to have been equally concerned by the impacts and strain put upon their local communities by the free movement policy, and how " generalisations" by those unwilling to look to the wider perspective and impacts from EU policy were affecting their lives.
The same applies with those who for whatever reason were out of work, who were seeking work in their neighbourhoods, where the thought of moving away from family and friends was proving of grave concern to them. Family and friends proving of high priority to their everyday lives. ( We are all different in this regard but many who have lived and worked in close knit communities all their working lives have felt threatened by this policy re freedom of movement….where work and social structure are interlinked, I.e. close knit communities tend to place great emphasis on retaining close links with their family and friends and appear keen to retain a tolerance and cohesion to ALL within their communities).
Many seasonal unskilled resident workers have previously been able to move from one area of work to another within nearby commutable regions, depending on the season, and whereas this was possible in the past, they were finding that not only were there diminishing opportunities but also diminishing rates of pay, proliferation of zero hours contracts etc... Those residents seeking work are not “ scroungers “ but ordinary citizens that were witnessing growing insecurities to their everyday lives, and strains within their regions that did not exist to the same degree prior to this free movement policy.
Over the last 40 years and beyond ( post war) the UK has changed significantly, but in the main it has become well integrated, more compassionate to those who for whatever reason are disadvantaged, out of work. etc, and yes there will always be some who abuse the system. But in the main it has proved a far more civilised system with focus on a caring but fair approach. The Govt are currently reviewing the welfare state but given the British psyche and caring many want this to be achieved in a timely manner but also in a manner that does not lose sight of those most vulnerable within our society, or create greater poverty in that process. It's a complex and sensitive area….. Maybe this is also why, where required, much greater emphasis is placed on regulatory structures in the UK... So as to counter abuse of a fair system that has taken years to develop.
So to many, to suggest that we have to swiftly abandon such progressive structures to accommodate an uncontrolled EU policy appears one step too far to many in the UK.
UK citizens want to democratically address the problems that have arisen from Govt, which have been highlighted within this thread, but many have found it frustratingly nigh on impossible over this last decade and beyond to address the problems that have arisen as a consequence of EU policy, Therein lies the problem.
Anyway, just as another option to consider, here's a youtube video from a Select Committee that were cross questioning the economist Patrick Minford back in May, where he explained his rationale re tariffs and free trade etc.
https://youtu.be/5IHMdbG9GuM
Also another YouTube footage from a conference held earlier this month (November) that he was asked to attend
https://youtu.be/T_IcL5bsAOY
Just some thoughts and different perspectives to consider ( and don't shoot the messenger please ;) !