[Osem]

I used to think that common sense could/would one day prevail in Europe. That events would serve to show the Eurocrats their vision was flawed - an illusion doomed to fail. I kidded myself that these people would finally see sense and accept reform - take the good bits and cut out the rest of what has become a grotesque continental cancer fast becoming end stage. I hoped that we could enjoy the benefits of closer trade ties etc. without the absurd straightjacket of a singe currency, unfettered immigration, ever increasing bureaucracy, interference in just about every aspect of our lives and a constant drive for further expansion. I even used to delude myself that these people would respect and accommodate the views of the populations of member nations and reflect them in their decision making. How about that for stupid eh?!

Sadly, these people have shown they're not interested in any of that. They do what they want and refuse to listen to those who have the temerity to disagree. They have learned little or nothing from the chaotic events they've presided over and it's full steam ahead for more of the same so far as I can see.

I used to think that in a referendum I'd be able to vote to stay in because some form of common sense had prevailed and we'd be able to enjoy the best of what the EU could and should have been without sacrificing everything else. I now believe that's just as much a pipe dream as the Eurocrats' vision for Europe. I see no prospect at all of Cameron being able to extract any meaningful concessions from the EU and have no faith whatsoever that, even if he did, they'd actually materialise. I believe any concessions these people offered would not be done so in good faith and that they'd find a way to worm their way out of them if we vote to stay in.

Yes there will be turmoil if we pull out, let nobody think otherwise, but I fear it's the only way we can have any meaningful say in the future direction our nation takes and detach ourselves to any extent from the Euro train wreck. A vote to stay in will be the final nail in the UK's coffin and will be used forevermore by the Eurocrats as a stick to beat us with - an argument for us having to suck up even more of what nonsense they decide to hand us.

It will be damaging and we cannot isolate ourselves from the fallout whatever we do but better to start the process now than let things drag on until there is turmoil and who knows what will stem from that. We may even be beyond the point where anything can be done to prevent a catastrophic meltdown in Europe but IMHO the least worst option is getting out as soon as we can and doing what we can to forge better, more productive links with the rest of the world. Surely irons in many fires has to be better than a deluded reliance on the leadership and vision of people who've shown themselves to be wholly intractable and virtually impervious to reason.

How to achieve the referendum? I see the only realistic possibility being an alliance between UKIP and the Tories after the next election. A vote for Same Old Labour, the Fib-Dems or any combination thereof will see more of the same and worse to come. It'll be interesting to see whether Cameron's so keen to stay in the EU that he would rather lose the election (i.e. refuse any possible coalition with UKIP) if he were unable to come up with anything significant from his 'negotiations'.