WE’RE proud of our independence and individuality, here in Britain. UKIP’s Nigel Farage has made great play out of that, touching a public nerve with his talk of meddling Brussels bureaucrats.

But as the anger over the terrorist attacks on the French magazine Charlie Hebdo revealed, we on this side of the Channel still have many things in common with our continental neighbours: a fierce commitment to freedom of speech among them.

It isn’t just the fundamental values of western democracy that we share, however. Europe is also our biggest trading partner – so is vital to a healthy UK economy.

Of course, we could still trade with Europe even if we weren’t in the EU. But would British businesses be better off with us in or out of Europe? Opinion is still fiercely divided on that one.

Tomorrow, York Central MP Sir Hugh Bayley and Yorkshire Labour MEP Richard Corbett plan to meet local business leaders in York to discuss this very issue. Both men fear Britain could be sleepwalking towards the European exit without properly considering the consequences.

Whatever your personal views, our membership or otherwise of the EU is something that will clearly have a profound effect on the life of everyone in these isles.

Sir Hugh and Mr Corbett are right to raise this issue, therefore. We look forward to hearing what business leaders have to say.