lemongrove, it is set in stone, and has been right from the start- there can be NO deal that will leave the UK with a better deal than other EU members.
Mind you, we did have this, rebates, no Euro, no Schengen- these were exceptional terms- but our recent actions have destroyed all this.
Switzerland had a Referendum in Feb 2014- same result, 48/50 (to limit immigration) - and ever since, the Swiss GVT have been trying to find a way to implement this, without the disastrous effect on the Swiss Economy, universites, research in all fields, etc. And the reply has been totally firm from the EU- YOU CANNOT HAVE A DEAL WITH US WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE FREE MOVEMENT.
The Swiss GVT has more or less persuaded the population that it was a mistake- and how damaging it would be- but a small minority on the extreme right, the SVP/UDC are making a lot of noise and want to force the GVT to implement.
One big difference is, that Switzerland has a Direct Democracy, where Referendums are binding- whereas the UK as a Parliamentary Democracy- where referendums are NOT, and can only be, by our own Laws- consultative. Cameron had no right whatsoever to ignore our own Laws, and say it would be acted upon. No right whatsoever.
The EU is not punishing us, or being ackward- it makes total sense that they can't give one member, let alone an existing member, special terms-- that would likley lead to the other 27 asking for bespoke deals on this, that or the other. Makes total sense.
As said, the UK had already achieved a bespoke deal before - with the best terms anyone could have- but decided to throw it away- in the most cavalier and damaging of ways.