[peteretep]

> but the UK severely tainted its image and destroyed all good-will with most powerful EU member states

The Germans consider the Brits a v useful hedge against French socialism, the French against German hegemony, North Europe against French and German expensive grand designs, South Europe against French and German snootiness, Eastern Europe against French and German Russophilia and so on and so forth. The UK has 800 years of helping keep the balance of power in Europe, and being largely a reasonable neighbour (and certainly compared to the French or Germans).

[effie]

Isn't this a bit too much historical/wishful thinking perspective? I don't think people in Europe see UK as some kind of helper agent in maintaining balance of power/order in continental and northern Europe. UK is simply not relevant now. Those threats from close neighbors are largely gone. The questions that concern people today are different - too much power of EU bodies and bureaucrats, which UK can't help with, some external threats (migrants, terrorists) which UK can't help with, economic recession in whole West which UK can't help with, China influence which UK can't help with. For the eastern countries, Russia is a concern which UK can't help with. Also, nobody in their right mind would rely on UK in this respect (remember Chamberlain and Munich 1938). If any invasion happens in Europe, the relevant factors will be local forces and Americans, UK may choose to help but probably not a substantial factor.