If you don’t want to leave the EU, you don’t have to – become an associate citizen

Looking across the English Channel from mainland Europe, it is clear David Cameron’s decision to impose a binary choice on the British people, in the form of a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU, has divided the UK. The overwhelming emotion to the result of the referendum in Brussels and elsewhere in Europe is sadness. The European Union is far from perfect, but for many of us it is the world’s greatest peace project. A peace bought about by in part by the sacrifice of many British citizens during the Second World War.

Contrary to reports in some parts of the British media, I do not have the sense that European politicians will not now seek “revenge” on the UK for wanting to leave us. At the same time, given the current make-up of the British Government, we must recognise it is unlikely that the UK will obtain a better deal as a former member than existing EU members have.

 

Read More: If you don’t want to leave the EU, you don’t have to – become an associate citizen | The Independent