AFAIK, we had to impose VAT as a condition to joining the EU (we thought we were just joining a "Common Market") in 1972.
So if we leave the EU, presumably we could abolish VAT (dream on !), and replace it with the Purchase Tax we had before ?
Perhaps: "Hold on to Nurse - for fear of meeting Something Worse"" is the best policy.
Danny (ex-VATman 1973-1986).