actually it is really rather brilliant, and I can see it working

[Oakmaiden]

Let's pretend, for a moment, that you are a politician who really really wants to cut immigration but can't find a legal way to do it. The obvious alternative is to make Britain less attractive to immigrants.

So, what are the things that public rhetoric sees as attractive to immigrants? Well, jobs, obviously, the NHS, benefits, education...

So to practise they started at the bottom of the list. Can we make our education system less attractive - lets get Gove on that one. Tick.

Now the biggy- can we wreck job prospects, the Nhs and benefits all in one go??? Oooh - I've had a brilliant idea about how we might do that...

Job done.

Well, all you need to do to achieve everything on that list is elect a Tory government.

Referendum on EU not required.

Ah but this way WE HAVE CHOSEN IT OURSELVES. It is democratic. The will of the people. And not the politicians fault at all. Actually they can all look reluctant and resigned...