Varche - we did vote to join a club (the common market) but the club has changed into something else entirely over time, and we havent once been allowed to vote on any of the changes.We have been lied to time and time again by politicians of all colours on this subject. They have taken us for mugs, and so far have gotten away with it.
Btw I agreed with everything else you wrote. I think in the short to medium term apathy will reign, we are a very apathetic country these days. Most people dont seem to know or care what the issues are, but Im sure at some point change will come. It just isnt obvious where from yet.
Nicely put Bluey. I believe there is a lot of discontentment throughout the EU, and I believe that there is a good chance it will eventually implode. 
Doesn't that just remind you of politics in general. For example the good citizens of the UK recently "voted". What did they end up with? A coalition who have lied and broken so many promises and it is still early days. For the record , I believe that if Labour had got back in then they too would have lied and broken their promises. It is just the rotten state politics is in.
For the record few EU countries seem to have a big majority governent. Spain is saddled with Mr Bean, France has Sarky, Italy that Berly.They are all busy pushing through unpopular policies.
As for trade. I don't honestly know whether the Uk benefits or not from being in the EU. We never get told the real figures. I do know that apart from whisky which is a real worldwide success story you are hard pushed to see Uk produce in a Fench or Spanish supermarket. I wonder why? I spoke to a French stonemason and he was gobsmacked when I told him Britain produces fabulous cheese. His comment "if they do, why isn't it for sale in our supermarkets then?"
Bluey - Commonwealth? Too late mate. I am still amazed we burnt those bridges in favour of stronger links with EU countries especially after they fought for us as recently as the WW2 .

The Chinese have got it right now building their commonwealth right across the globe.