In a blow for the aspirations of citizens of England and Wales, the island nation’s hopes of joining the EEU (Extended EU) have once again been crushed.

“It’s a tragedy. Why can’t the Scottish recognize that we have changed. The old generation that hated membership and never understood its benefits have died out. We’re the generation that were stripped of a future,” says Denis Franks, International Secretary in the Liberal government.

“Nothing has changed,” says Humphrey Dalfries, the Scottish EEU Minister. “They will join, and then spend their entire time complaining about the rules. It is best that the existing extended membership is dedicated and committed to the framework. We cannot invite an unstable bruiser into our house once more.”

After the referendum to rejoin Europe under the new Extended rules was won with a clear majority in November last year, England and Wales hoped that this time around, they would be welcomed into the club.

“We are still not convinced of their loyalty,” says EEU President Angela Schneider. “Yes, the new rules are less difficult, but it took twenty years to sort out the mess the UK caused when they left. We cannot take that risk again.” While it is true that the withdrawal of the UK caused significant economic instability around the world, the impact was most severe in Britain itself.

“We are each small countries but, together – united – we are stronger. There is much to be gained from union, but it has been hard won and we take that victory very seriously,” says Francis Monsarat of France. “After Brexit, we worked to reverse decades of skepticism towards the EU project and re-invented ourselves. The result has been nearly thirty years of economic growth for members, and the EEU now includes Scotland, Turkey, Albania, Serbia, Gibraltar, Mauritius and Quebec, among others.”

After Scotland declared independence and Northern Ireland was absorbed into the Republic of Ireland, ‘not-so-great’ Britain has not fared as well. Fears that poor English and Welsh workers would flood Europe has also raised concerns in Spain and Portugal. “We can’t absorb all these migrants. Let them sort out their economy before they try again,” says José Cuyaubé, Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.