Would UK be like Norway & Switzerland?

Question

For Britain leaving the EU will be a huge mistake once you leave, you'll never come back! If UK left EU would it be part of EEA like Iceland, Norway and Switzerland or join EFTA?

The issue is if UK does happen to join EEA or EFTA, it still follow the freedom of movement rules meaning more migrants come to Britain unless there could be rules for new migrants coming to Britain & show proof these migrants are legit UK residents & long terms.

Answer 1

Well, as a Norwegian, I can tell you that, being in the EEA and in Schengen, isn't all that fun. We must respect all the EU decisions but we have no right to vote or participate in the European Parliament. What's the point of it?



Being Norwegian but born and grew up in Belgium, I stick to the Belgian device, which is: "L'union fait la force" (Unity makes strength).



I believe that it is together that we can solve problems, not alone. What is the point of going back to national boundaries created by wars of the past centuries? For example, l'enclave de Givet, which is a French town in ... Belgium, was fought in the 17th century. Why keep those ridicule boundaries?



As a Norwegian from the south of Oslo, I have much more in common with a Swede from Strømstad (on the other side of the border) than a Norwegian of Kirkenes, near the Russian border.



Isn't it time that we divide Europe (and the world!) in democratic regions of people who want to have the same culture? But it must be done under an umbrella of a larger union, to decide international politic, economics, etc.



Of course, UK is different; you are an island! ;-) But when I sail my sailboat in Europe, I have free access to the harbours except ... UK. Whenever entering a British harbour, I have to fly the yellow flag (my boat is healthy and I require free practice) and wait until the custom comes on board before I can go ashore.



I think UK should stay in the Union. Beside that, the immigration problem comes from the fact that only one or two percent of the earth's population (you and me!) owns about half of all earth resources; food, money, energy, etc. For as long as it lasts, we will see immigration, envy, conflicts and wars. Being in an Union or not, is irrelevant.

Answer 2

Norway and Switzerland absolutely do not follow the freedom of movement rules. They offer preferential treatment to EU migrants but are entitled to set their own rules about this.



Switzerland welcomes western European migrants but is closed to those from the newer countries. But even for those from Germany and France, there are strict rules; you must have a job to get a permit and you are thrown out immediately if you fail to pay your health insurance. Because you cannot rent without a permit, they have very few illegal immigrants.



Norwegians and Swiss citizens have EU wide freedom of movement, best of both worlds.

Answer 3

Tell you what we vote in 4 months time and then and only then will you know the wishes of the British people, then and only then will the powers that be start to decide how we move forward and if the vote is a yes to leave vote, then the Government will decide if, how and when and all the details of that if, how, when as well as who other than British citizens can live, work, study etc etc in the country

Answer 4

If the UK leaves then other like Sweden will follow

Answer 5

No-one knows.