Nope. Wrong. The Swiss voted for immigration caps for the EU via a referendum (you know, that expression of democracy the EU so hates). This motion passed, and their federal council must now enact it.

The EU got nasty after the vote and cherry-picked some things to cancel that they thought would add political pressure -- namely access to research funding (which the Swiss subsequently paid into) and the ERASMUS student exchange scheme (which the Swiss have joined under a different umbrella). Funny how they didn't do anything like cancel their vital trade routes through Switzerland, eh?

As far as I know, the Swiss are still happily trading in the single market.

So, a few lessons here:

- Tiny Switzerland, whilst subject to arbitrary and punitive action from the EU, is still trading whilst on-course to cap the number of EU nationals entering their country
- The EU is a bully, and will exert it's political might on sovereign countries to achieve it's aims (as Ukraine now well knows). Do we want to be in such a club?
- We have a much larger economy and considerably more leverage to negotiate a deal with the EU. The EU cannot impose unfavorable terms (Article 8 of the Lisbon Treaty & World Trade Organisation tariff rules) on what is ultimately a huge trade deficit anyway.
-As aside, Swiss exports to China (because, you know, the poor, poor downtrodden Swiss have a free trade agreement with China, whilst we can't, as members of the EU) is due to overtake exports to Germany within a decade.

Not sure what you're hoping that article says?

Ireland, Germany, and France have more Brits on benefits than UK has of their people, but that's about it.

Going by that chart and figures, the totals are (rather than just cherry-picking 3 nations from the list):
EU people on benefits in UK: 64,830
UK people on benefits in EU: 29,095

So it would seem to be clear that 'we' are paying more than double the benefits 'we' are receiving

AT last someone who does think with their brain rather than their fears. You have hit it bang on the head my friend well done.

Why do you think the date has been set as the earliest possible?

As 100,000 extra migrants have made it to the EU this year already, in winter, that figure will be far higher by June. Let alone over the entire calendar year.

I think it got pretty close with mine but I am still very much undecided. I like the idea of being part of a bigger block of countries which makes trade easier, and therefore more profitable for the UK. Yet I really am worried about the large amounts of refugees coming into Europe.

I know I shouldn't think like this, as a very left leaning politics wise type person, but I am worried for my children and grandchildren. I just think too many people are coming into Europe too quickly.

Immigration into the UK has happened gradually in my lifetime and I think generally it has been a success and has benefited the UK. I understand the reason why the present rush into Europe is happening and I really do sympathise but it does concern me.

If we are honest, we mostly despise the continentals, so why are so many people keen for continued interaction with them?

We have all been to Paris and been charged £20 for a bottle of water. We have all seen a Frenchman s*** in the street whilst trying to enjoy a romantic evening with the missus.

We have all been to Rome and been charged £50 for a big cheese on toast whilst our women are sexually assaulted by greasy, bandy legged, moped riders.

We despise the Germans, not only for their penchant for mass murder but also because of their love of 'skat', 'water sports' and similar practices which are the opposite of any true Englishman's sexual appetites.

The Belgians are all sex cases. The Dutch are arrogant w***ers. The Greeks spunk money up the wall like there's no tomorrow. The Balkans hate us when we do and we don't try and sort out their murderous tendencies. The Irish hate us despite the overwhelming evidence that we civilised them.

They hate us. With a passion. Why would we want to be a part of it and PAY for the privilege of being bummed by the biggest closed shop in the world?