BREXIT

[VNA]

Prior to EU membership, i never had to pay 20% tax on anything i bought

That’s incorrect, as I’ve pointed out before VAT replaced the purchase tax in the UK.

So tell me again, how I'm better off in the EU

Agricola you continue to blame the EU for the policies of successive UK governments, and it appears local councils too. :eek
You were given a ball to kick, and like many others you kicked it hard.  But I’m afraid you’ve kicked the wrong ball.