Surely it was not supposed to be like this? Negotiations to the wire which even if they succeed, will deliver a deal that is either smoke and mirrors or much less than expected. As for immigration, the clincher according to many commentators? Every expert asked has confirmed the inflow of migrants in unlikely to reduce much if at all, even if Cameron’s benefit curbs are agreed in full, which is impossible.
This blog has worried that the referendum is going to be about terms rather than principle. It would have been better to hold and in out referendum which would have been won by Remain and then use the enhanced clout of the UK to fix a few deals to improve the EU for everybody. Now we are heading into an argument about fine print, with several cabinet heavyweights planning to drive the Leave campaign. The idea of divided government has only been tried once; by Harold Wilson at the last EU referendum. Labour was seriously damaged and went into a decline which lasted over twenty years. If it is a Remain victory will Cameron be able to put his government back together again or will it be a Humpty Dumpty moment? If it is Leave who win, then what?
Then there is that elephant in the Tory room.
Boris.