I don't know if we have as much leeway as you suggest? It does seem that we have conceded on various issues over the year, and in one sense that's "agreement" but in another, it's "forced". Much like union negotiations. But I agree with your earlier post that the UK retains its ultimate sovereignty, and that if EU directives became too onerous, we would be able to supercede them. Or, pragmatically, just ignore them like the Italians do. Worst case scenario, when/if the EU becomes unworkable for Britain (say 80% against) - another referendum.

Which is utterly pointless within the Schengen area. Thankfully the UK excluded itself from that. I suspect some Parisiennes wish that France had too.

Although entry is not deportation...

Righty-O

Does this change anything in your world should the UK vote [one way or the other] to stay in the EU or exit?

Reason I asked is because I couldn't give a crap whichever way the thing turns out, same way as I did when the Scottish referendum took place.

On that note, I would like to see Canada out of the 'Commonwealth', for no other reason than all the whinging poms, all disconnect from Westminster & the Monarchy.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/immig...nwealth-65644/

Quite likely, yes.

Why would any canadian want that?
Leave the commonwealth and almost by default lose the queen as head of state. Now I'm no royalist and in the uk I'd like to see all royal scroungers stripped of their freebies but now I'm in canada I see things differently.
A canadian head of state would no doubt be an overblown costly post for some undeserving politician, whereas the queen, well she comes ready paid courtesy of the british taxpayer.

Me too, please just naff off! Then at least you lot could be a bit more honest and then unashamedly shove your collective heads even further up your American overseers' arses.

Umm.. I'm not quite sure what point you're trying to make here...

Loath as I am to quote the Spectator, the latest editorial makes some good/thought worthy points...

Out – and into the world: why The Spectator is for Leave

That hits the nail squarely on the head. What a superb well written article, it states exactly what the EU is, and what the EU should have been (simply just a trading block). Not a future United States of Europe.... which is an utterly unrealistic pipe dream.

Like every empire, the EU has to expand or die. Stasis is impossible for long. And it's expanded about as far as it can go. Maybe it served a purpose once, but it's clearly dysfunctional and counterproductive today.

Personally, I fully expect the UK to vote to stay, and, in a few years, be the only country still in it as everyone else leaves. But I may still be surprised.

On the contrary it's expanded too far too fast. If it remained a collective of six rich Western European nations who were adamant to become a federal union to prevent themselves from ever going to war again then it would have worked fine. The larger it has become the more unwieldy and disparate it has become and now it's at breaking point. If the UK goes then watch it tumble like dominos.

Seems fair enough from Corbyn.....

Jeremy Corbyn wants Labour voters to reluctantly Remain – has he finally captured the mood of the nation?

Cameron is very good at this. I think the only job he's ever had was in PR and he could probably sell anything. When presented with an open goal he's not the type to miss.

Branson is at it today. Living on your own private island immigration shouldn't be an issue eh.

I know someone in the UK who received a personally addressed letter from Alan Sugar urging them to vote for remain. They are French so can't vote....

This week with John Oliver sums it up nicely

https://www.facebook.com/LastWeekTon...1269251335418/

Yup.