Editorial Comment:

David Cameron finally has his deal with Europe – a deal, it is claimed, that gives Britain a “special status” within the EU. This honour was certainly hard fought for. The deal was initially expected to be settled at final talks styled as “an English breakfast” and scheduled for yesterday morning. As the talks dragged on, however, the triumphant breakfast became postponed to a brunch, a lunch, a tea and then a dinner.

It is astonishing that such humble proposals caused that much difficulty. Is it unreasonable to ask that the EU commit itself to cutting red tape? Is it really a step too far to protect the interests of countries outside the eurozone? And what is so shocking about the proposition that British taxpayers should not have to pay such generous child welfare payments to children living overseas? Mr Cameron appears to have secured a seven-year break on migrants being able to claim benefits – but this will still be considered small beer by many Eurosceptics. It will probably astonish British voters that all of this proved so problematic, particularly when Europeans have such terrible problems as the refugee crisis to chew over.

But, then again, this should not surprise us. The EU leadership has decided that the future lies with greater integration, so even the smallest reform will be regarded as a challenge to this philosophy. Ironically, the negotiations with Britain have only highlighted how absurd this dream of a totally united Europe looks.

Greece apparently threatened to veto any deal produced by the summit over Europe’s handling of the migration crisis. The national interests of, say, Germany and Greece are not identical. Logic tells us this yet, strangely, the EU persists with its utopian fantasy.

The EU is arcane and sclerotic – and the events of the past few days have proved it. It cannot adapt to suit changing circumstances or to meet the demands of political crises. Now the British voters have their chance to pass a verdict not only on this deal but the entire European project. Hopefully the pro-EU and Brexit activists will rise to the occasion, offering a campaign rooted in facts and reason rather than fear mongering. Britain has an opportunity, finally, to take its destiny into its own hands. Whatever people might think of the strengths and weaknesses of this deal, Mr Cameron deserves credit for giving us that much.