Brexit

[anthonykay]

Apparently Australia's much-vaunted points system also gives it a higher immigration rate than the UK.

That misses the point Anthony.
. . .
The point is, they have a degree off control and can turn it on and off like a tap reacting to the circumstances at the time and the policy of the elected Govt.

Yes, I know that and you know that. But I got the impression that a lot of Leave supporters assumed that they were going to get less immigration, rather than controlled immigration. And it doesn't deal with another very important point that you raise:

The problem with implementing some of the other policies is that it's easier just to recruit from outside, as dealing with an issue like No4 requires a degree of effort.
It's a bit like the recruitment of staff for the NHS from overseas. Why do we have to do it? Because we have become lazy and don't train enough ourselves.
We are bleeding overseas states of their skills they have invested in.

I am not very optimistic that any future controlled immigration policy will include ethical considerations about taking doctors, engineers, etc from poor countries where they are desperately needed. I have a friend who lived for a few years in Malawi and Zambia, and voted Leave because of the effect that EU trade policies have had on African economies. He thinks that Britain, out of the EU, will be able to trade more fairly with Africa and help to build up its economy. I hope he is right, but I'm not holding my breath.