Something I think may be relevant is that the UK never experienced the Eurocrisis - in fact, spent at least part of it undermining efforts to fix things - and so doesn’t understand how the iron entered the EU’s soul in that process.
The Eurocrisis was an epochal experience for the Eurozone countries. It was probably touch and go. It really did take everything necessary to survive it. But it did. Despite the predictions of “done in six months” about every three weeks from the likes of AEP, it survived.
In that process, with Mario Draghi proving probably the most successful Italian general since Caesar, the Eurozone faced a lot of real pressure from those with real leverage.
It didn’t blink.
It didn’t blink.
Greece had genuine leverage, but not near what Varoufakis thought. His disastrous attempts foreshadowed the Brexiter “strategy” and got nowhere because all they got back was the “We’re good with the ‘Or else’, thanks, now, take it or leave it.”
(The myth that it was Germany, btw, is just that. A myth. The ones most willing to drop the hammer were the Višegrad states. Germany was the one talking down the likes of Slovakia. It’s just admitting smaller states loathed him won’t sell books to keep Yanis in leather jackets.)
But the Eurozone members - even those like Ireland still clawing out of our own monstrous hames - were quite willing and able to coldly triage and move on.
We then all rolled straight into the migration crisis, which, again, the UK largely sat out.
We then all rolled straight into the migration crisis, which, again, the UK largely sat out.
By this stage, the majority of the EU27 are well used to making cold, hard decisions, sticking by them, and moving on.
Even on issues like Hungary and Poland, the head of steam to make the hard decisions there is building.
Even on issues like Hungary and Poland, the head of steam to make the hard decisions there is building.
Post-Eurocrisis, we’re not afraid to be clinical.
The notion across both sides of the Commons that thumping the table and shouting at foreigners will bring the continental chappies to heel misses that fundamental shift.
We’re done, here. Take it or leave it, we’re moving on.
The notion across both sides of the Commons that thumping the table and shouting at foreigners will bring the continental chappies to heel misses that fundamental shift.
We’re done, here. Take it or leave it, we’re moving on.
On Marius’ nephew and Mario: 
