| > Anyway it just strikes me as mean-spirited. I doubt the EU leaders really care about immigration that strongly. Freedom of movement of trade, people/labour, capital and services is the core founding principle of the EU - they care about it a lot. > Regardless, I suspect they won't do it because it would be irrational. If Britain is given a deal that allows them all of the benefits of EU membership without any of the perceived downsides, all other EU member states will want this better deal too. Giving the UK such a deal would cause a number of additional countries to leave the EU. Thus, it would be irrational for the EU to give the UK a deal which would lead to the eventual breakup of the EU. > I believe the EU has free trade deals with Australia and Canada, without unrestricted immigration. There are essentially three ways to trade with the EU: As a member state (Britain's current position, France, Germany, etc.), as a member of the EEA (Norway), or under WTO rules (Australia). If the UK wants one of the first two options they will need to allow freedom of movement. If Australia (somehow) applied for membership of the EU or EEA it would need to allow freedom of movement for EU citizens. |