Though, I like what UKIP has achieved and think Farage is really a very good politician, I do not think that the UK should get out of the EU. That would be counter productive to the country. Rather, it should force the EU to consolidate back to a legal and legitimate structure.
The problem with this ever pervading (in the UK) sentiment is that, where many in Europe feel a similar need for criticism, virtually nobody (not in the political leadership(s) nor in the individual populaces) in Europe feels that the Brits have any business in interfering.
By virtue of its own lack of credibility on having European interest foremost in mind, Britain's status ranges from being a general annoyance to being an overall laughing stock of whining gripers that wants to take what it can get from its membership in the EU and earn as little of it as possible.
It would be most unfair to lay all and every blame for this development at Britain's doorstep exclusively, just as much as it would be highly unrealistic to absolve it of any blame.
The obstacles lie (and always have done) in "the continent" as a whole and "the island" in being so separated by the channel beyond its actual width that, where mutual comprehension is concerned, they might as well be on different planets.
Generally speaking Europeans don't understand Britain at all and Britain understands nothing about Europe, or so is the sentiment on the respective opposite side. Leading to see the actions of the other to be perceived as incomprehensible shenanigans.
To add to this conundrum there is no particular balance of weight that could force both to get off this ridiculous high horse, on the contrary Britain, by comparison, is seen as irrelevant if need be, should it ever come to exit. Many on "the continent" would even breathe a sigh of relief.
Thus, ironically, where many share into the criticisms that Britain has at heart, just as many turn automatically deaf when they hear ANYthing coming from London.
And just as many in Britain are blissfully ignorant of how little clout "the island" actually holds in abroad Europe.
To assume that Britain will ever "force" the EU into anything is thus a ridiculous pipe dream.
Sad in many aspects but something that Britain bears its share of as well.
