Indeed, but that's what awaits them. Hell will freeze before the UK gets the EU perks without the costs, if only because the EU leaders are adamantly determined

Indeed, but that's what awaits them. Hell will freeze before the UK gets the EU perks without the costs, if only because the EU leaders are adamantly determined to set an example to flush any "let's leave the EU" incentives in other countries. For better or worse the UK will serve as an example that other nationalists will turn to and say "hell no we don't want this after all". The deal the UK will get will not be something to be looking forward to. I for one am fully in support of putting them in the same position as Norway, and that's probably more than EU politicians will be happy to accept. That is: UK pays EU fees without the discounts they've negotiated for years on end, complies with EU laws, and gets free market access in exchange for freedom of movement. And without voting rights. There has been no shortage of walking on eggs since the UK has been around in the EU. And the voters were still unhappy, so if anything, good riddance. Then again EU leaders aren't very open to this idea insofar as I understood, because it's a great deal. Another scenario would be to give them the same deal as Canada: apply EU laws just like Norway, and pay into the EU, without any vote. Oh wait! Yeah, voters will not be happy. But hey, they're the ones accepting that their politicians lie to them. Yet another scenario is that the UK does not leave the EU. It might happen, after all. Will that be democratic? No. But it will be "constitutional", if one can use that word for a country that has none. Yet it certainly might be the lesser of all evils. Truth is we don't know, and "tough sell" is not part of the equation. The UK is not in much of a position to negotiate. Especially with the quack they put at the top of their Foreign Office - who somehow managed to insult just about every foreign nation out there before even getting his new job. Credit to the new PM in this respect: she's making the chap own it.