How did the United Kingdom benefit from membership in the EU?

From my point of view - it hasn't gained any benefit at all ! We pay billions of pounds each yeah for 'membership' of the EU - in return, we get told which of our own laws we can and cannot enforce - we get flooded with illegal immigrants from countries thousands of miles away, who only want to come here because our welfare system will give them money from our taxes - even if they're here illegally !

It's high time we took back control of our island state and stopped contributing to a system that basically doesn't give a (hoot) about us !

Yes - it's a rant.. but I'm entitled to voice my opinion - like anyone else here ! Prove me wrong, people !