it's because of things like this: "We are potentially facing the demise of the Euro by Christmas and if that happens it will wreck our economy. "Contrary to what the Eurosceptics say, the issue now is not whether the UK remains in the EU but how we contain the Eurozone crisis. "If the Euro breaks up, I think there will be rampant protectionism. Even if you get a smaller Euro with just the AAA countries huddling together they will still go down the track of protectionism. "If the Euro breaks up then countries, including the UK, should work to save the EU, so that we continue to benefit from the Single Market and avoid a situation of every man for himself. "We need something concrete and substantial next week from leaders. Promises and packing up for Christmas holidays will not do." @ LJP -- " I susepect that in 5-10 years we will likely see some sort of federal Treasury and that the UK will not be a part of those arrangements, But to my mind that is nothing other than the logical extension of a two speed Europe." For sure, and i too am intensely relaxed about the principle of a two speed europe, but my question stands because whether it is too speed or otherwise is not the question. No, the real question is whether those in the slow lane, who have explicitly rejected the federal future left to the surving euro-core, will in fact remain sovereign nation-states.