[Osem]

The above report aside, given what we've actually experienced over the last few decades I can't understand why anyone would believe any assurances issued by the EU or indeed overlook statements made by leading Eurocrats which confirm the reality. We know what the EU is committed to achieving, we know what's in their DNA, we know that even the demonstrable, abject, failure of the Euro, migration, security policy for example, will not stop these people ploughing on regardless towards their single European state. How then can any realistically argue that somehow the UK can be part but not part? Do these people really believe the rules of the game won't be changed by hook or by crook and powers won't continue to be grabbed from us? Whatever else the other pros and cons of membership may be, so far as I am concerned this is the reality and so a vote to stay in the EU is a vote to sooner or later become consumed by the EU. There's no plan B, no other option, no room for compromise, no half way house and their job will never be done because they'll always be someone or something else which needs to be controlled. The Eurocrats only have one vision and that vision doesn't involve us controlling our own destiny, it involves them controlling it along with everything else - they're the giant continental equivalent of your worst vision of what a local authority could be. At a time when the EU's inherent failings have never been more starkly and tragically apparent, right across Europe, how can anyone seriously want to be further bound to it. Is anyone seriously suggesting that we're somehow going to be able to have the best of both worlds while the rest can't? Carry on picking the bits we do and don't want? Look at how little Cameron was able to negotiate whilst waving the biggest stick of all - the threat of us leaving. Concessions from the EU? Common sense? Reform??!! Dream on guys, dream on...