The UK already has the best possible deal with the EU of all countries on earth, in or out. They have all of the benefits of membership, and are exempted from s

The UK already has the best possible deal with the EU of all countries on earth, in or out. They have all of the benefits of membership, and are exempted from some of the downsides: britain controls their own borders and their own currency. The status quo is the best the UK can ever hope to get, from that position, no matter what deal you make it'll be worse than where you are. That's not the "EU sticking it to the UK", that's just reality.