Nigglynellie just read your post's on this thread. I agree with every word. Your analysis of what is really going on with some of the EEA country's and with as we have read the EFTA country's, needs to have a very big light shone on what exactly the EU is. Once ensnared by the single market, and open borders, they can't get out when the agreements come up for renewal without conforming to some deeper entrapment by the EU. By the way, whilst Christine Lagarde is with the WMF, your right her track record would not stand up to scrutiny nigglynellie. Great realistic posting.
Should say also, you asked the question "can we ever escape", my view is from seeing what is going on elsewhere, with countries either in the EU or EFTA, Switzerland, Greece to name some, and the reactions to the EU from Hungary, Slovenia, Italy etc, my view is that the only way out is to leave.
The criticism of the negotiations that our Government is trying to have with the EU, is astounding, when you know, just how intransigent the EU is. How, glad I am that we did not join the common currency, and a number of other area's . My view is that we are heading for a Brexit without single market access or customs union and that if the EU is not careful we will say s_d it, and reduce the transition period or not have one at all.
Our Banks as the Bank of England test stress has shown is ready and can sustain the pound if it does take a dip, and it has the insurance promise from Parliament to sustain banking arrangements for both banks and companies in the EU and in the UK with temporary licence certificate. We are ready. The EU isn't.
The veneer is falling off, the propaganda, misinformation, and scare tactics that the EU and other supporters have employed in a dastardly way, are failing.
Italy have chosen to ignore the EU if it does not benefit Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovenia are doing the same. The EU has created the very thing it once sought to destroy, extreme politics in Europe, and I fear more resistance to the EU trap is to come. The country's of the EEA, and EFTA once they see that free trade is possible, and other full partnership treaties can be negotiated, outside the EU, the EU will crumble.
Let's see if the Swiss being so dependent on the single market, have the will to vote for their freedom. This country was neutral throughout WW11, surrounded by fighting, and slaughter. Let us hope that a little of that self preservation is left.