Angela Merkel is quite rightly pointing out that a large economy will be sitting on the EU's doorstep and will be more of a competitor than a partner. She is particularly concerned about the banking sector, which the UK dominates. No-one has ever suggested that the EU won't be hurt by brexit. But she was putting the EU side. She was not focusing on the UK side, which is that we will be hurt by brexit a damn sight more than the EU will. Only hubris-ridden little Englanders who have decided to ignore every economic forecast by every economist are denying that. And even they are a dying breed, I've noticed.