First what I am saying is based on us not leaving. As in we don't leave and our government is competent enough (lol) to use the carrot of a second referendum for the EU to then grant us some small consessions.
If we leave and then try to join again, say 5 years down the line you are right the EU will not give us it on our same terms... It will be all in or they will reject our membership.
What are the small consessions? Well as the main concern is freedom of movement. Maybe a optional yearlyCap on immigration (which we will want to exceed, because wage inflation is actually a fear of the British not so eu's)
Im not talking about 5 years later (though I agree, no special terms whatsoever then), Im talking about now.
And thats grey area. And comes back to the talk yesterday - can we just unilaterally cancel A50 or not?
The concensus seemed to be it was a political decision, rather than legal, and so would likely mean the EU having to consent - which leads right back to what Ive been talking about the whole time. Why would they just consent to a forgive and forget cancellation, rather than take the opportunity to bring us closer into the fold?
As to controlling immigration - already declined with Cameron. Not even politely, I think they are still laughing at him now. One of the major blocks on deals going forward (assuming Brexit) is FOM - which they want to insist upon.
Do really think its anything more than wishful thinking they will suddenly allow us to put caps/limits etc on it?
(while keeping our Veto, rebate, currency...)
Except we are not discussing the fact we have stopped recruiting them but the fact less are choosing to come.
Is this not the same as the downturn in Investment? IE - current turbulence/uncertainty is keeping people away until a more settled/predictable situation unfolds?
Were we to leave the EU, and control our own immigration - offering Visa's to healthcare professionals - why wouldnt they come back?
This seems, to me at least, to be one of those red herring things. Clearly a short term thing, rather than long term predictor.