i always found it interesting that they joined, the EU has been a huge win for Germany as the Euro was great for them and the other countries who's currency was not worth much. The UK has not even participated in the Euro still using the British Pound (which is worth more than the Euro). If the UK could keep its trade relations up it would not be a huge loss for them at all I think, Merkel would be pissed though as the UK is probably the only European country that can compete with Germany any more.