"Charles Michel, who we learn regularly texts the British PM David Cameron, says that a 'Leave' vote will trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty that requires the UK to exit the organisation within two years. The Times writes that the article is deliberately designed to be punitive to discourage countries from leaving.

During the talks that led to Britain's new EU deal Mr Michel also warned that promises of treaty change e.g. to secure a UK opt-out from ever closer union and safeguards for the City of London, Britain's financial industry, were not irreversible as future treaty change would require the approval of national and even regional parliaments. Belgium has a total of six parliaments and The Times writes that Belgium's Walloon region has vowed to block a British opt-out from 'ever closer union'."

In other words, they knew long ago that the whole idea was likely to fail so took punitive action to make sure everyone stayed no matter what.

And so much for what Cameron negotiated being legal - if Belgium can veto it, it ain't legally binding.

Punivite measures or not - time for the UK to exit definitely. Before the whole thing goes down the swannie.