ONE OF the principal debating points about Britain’s membership of the European Union is sovereignty and, more precisely, how it is defined and deployed.

We live in an era of increasing globalisation, meaning nation-states often work together to achieve their political and economic goals. This is, in essence, the way the EU works.

The fact we are having a referendum on our membership of the EU proves Britain is sovereign; in short, it is possible for us to leave.

Indeed, even without a referendum, Parliament as a supreme and sovereign body could take Britain out of the EU by the simple process of passing an Act of Parliament.

Incidentally, Parliament is not restricted by a written constitution (we do not have one) or any other device such as a formal ‘checks and balance’ system.

Parliament is so powerful it can even extend its own life as it did during the Second World War by postponing the need for a general election.

To strengthen Parliament’s role further, the European Union Act 2011 provides for a referendum if any subsequent treaty requires powers to be transferred to the EU.

The EU is a treaty organisation – the Treaty of Rome was the first of successive treaties – where nation-states have agreed to act in concert.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) works in the same way, as do the thousands of treaties signed by Britain and still in force.

Working with our partners in the EU does require rules and regulations but only ones we shape and understand to be in our interests.

The best examples are where Britain has agreed to make trade easier through enabling individuals and firms to make contractual arrangements for the exchange of goods and services.

More complicated, but just as useful to our economic interests, are agreements where we accept regulations but with mutual benefit.

There is an argument about the quantity of rules and regulations. Leave campaigners frequently assert that the number of ‘laws’ coming from the EU exceed some 60 per cent of total laws.

This is, quite simply, incorrect. The reality is that Westminster – our Parliament – continues to be responsible for virtually all legislation and also most regulations.