Shizz just got real -

 

Chancellor Angela Merkel would rather see the UK exit from the European Union than compromise over the principle of free movement of workers, according to the German magazine Der Spiegel.

 

Mrs Merkel is alleged to fear that the UK is approaching a "point of no return".

 

Downing Street would not comment on the reports.

 

Mr Cameron wants to renegotiate the terms of the UK's continued membership before holding an in-out referendum.

 

The prime minister said that freedom of movement would be "at the very heart of my renegotiation strategy for Europe", but Mrs Merkel is said by the magazine to have made clear she will withdraw her support for Britain's continued EU membership if he pushes for migration reform.

 

It's possible that Angela Merkel has been misquoted or mistranslated, but if this is true, this could have massive repercussions.

 

Thoughts?

It's politic-speak for "Put up or shut up" - Cameron's been dithering over the issue to avoid splitting the Tory Party, posturing this and that, trying to block UKIP drifting support when he's been the outsider in Europe for some time already. He's having his bluff called up front, either you're in the EU and abide by the rules or you're not. Stop saying you're going to demand this and insist on that.

 

He's caught between a brick and an even bigger brick...

I think there are so complex structures, that we cant imagine what will happen if they do.

Its easy to say yes or no, if we think just about a few advantages but forget the disadvantages

Merkel's stand is perfectly understandable. After all, she grew up in a country where people got shot for trying to leave so it's hardly surprising that she considers freedom of movement to be so important. This weekend's commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall should serve as a reminder in case Cameron has forgotten.