England has been a land apart for nearly a thousand years - ruled by the same monarchy, no part of it successfully invaded by violence, nor really (in the minds of most English) united with other kingdoms on equal terms. So there is a much stronger national identity than in Germany (where many were Prussian or Bavarian or Silesian until the late 19th century), and a political policy of &quot;splendid isolation&quot; was followed until relatively recently. We have strong ties to Europe, but arguably stronger ties to the US (&quot;51st state&quot; is a joke, but with an element of truth to it) and Commonwealth.<p>I think any businessperson in the UK understands the economic value that the EU brings to us all. But most voters aren&#x27;t businesspeople. When ordinary people hear about the EU it&#x27;s about regulations, subsidies, or funding for things that seem relatively frivolous, none of which really make a great case for it.