You're not listening, Nigel. I said that we are also taking a hard line. Unfortunately, the motivation for compromise on our side is not there because the Tory "negotiators" are watching their backs as the Tory hawks circle around. And you don't know what their divorce demand is or how flexible they are prepared to be because all that lies in the realms of rumour until the UK shows that it's being serious.

As for this:

Me: "To show that you don't get decades of benefits then blithely walk out leaving the rest in deep doodah."

You: "More a case of having been a net contributor for decades."

My remark related to the EU's attitude to other potential leavers, not us. Perhaps my French phrase eluded you. It means, in that rather sinister wartime way, to make THE OTHERS (les autres) think ten times before they even consider leaving. You may think that my English is as bad as I think your Sherlock jokes are, but on this occasion I commend a rereading of my post. You could try taking off your irrational anti-Steve specs first, but who am I to dictate...