England should feel the consequences for voting to leave the EU.

[Meldread]

110. I think this is the best argument against what I have written.

...and I see a lot of truth in what you've said. However, I don't think it changes the dynamics of what has to happen if the EU is to avoid falling apart.

The fundamental problem remains: If the EU allows the UK to essentially have all or most of the benefits of membership without any of the downsides or responsibilities, then why should any other EU nation remain in the Union and NOT want the same for themselves?

I don't want to see the UK or its people suffer as a result of this vote. However, there are consequences to leaving the EU, and if the EU is to remain together they are all really bad consequences for the UK. The suffering is an inevitable side effect of what they've done to themselves.

I honestly don't see a way to avoid it, and keep the EU together and whole. So, the end result is likely to be a weakened UK (that is likely fractured as at a minimum Scotland leaves), that becomes ever more intensely resentful and nationalistic.

That's not what we want or what we should hope for, but I feel that we are on this unavoidable path. It's like watching another car speeding toward you, and as you watch it you realize no matter what decision that you make you are going to crash.