> Jim Hacker: If not, why are we pressing for an increase in membership? Sir Humphrey Appleby: For the same reason. It's just like the United Nations, in fact.

> Jim Hacker: If not, why are we pressing for an increase in membership? Sir Humphrey Appleby: For the same reason. It's just like the United Nations, in fact. The more members it has, the more arguments it can stir up, the more futile and impotent it becomes. Jim Hacker: What appalling cynicism! Sir Humphrey Appleby: Yes. We call it diplomacy, Minister.” This was more or less exactly what happened with the 2004 and 2007 enlargements. Britain pushed for the EU to enlarge as a way of slowing down decision making - and the resulting migration from Eastern European countries ended up being a key factor for people voting to Leave.