Look, it's not malicious or punitive, but just consequences. The UK has basically said "we don't want to pay the price for access to the common market". They had a pretty sweet deal. What incentive do the other countries have, who also pay for access in one way or another, to give the UK a better deal? None. The EU describing/following through the consequences of leaving isn't bullying - everybody knew what would happen.

Look. You're renting an apartment with four other people and you're all sharing the rent. Then one guy decides that he only wants to pay the rent for the square meters that represent his room, but he still wants to get access to the kitchen, living room, bathroom and have free access to the fridge and free use of the stove.

If you refuse, are you the bully?

The parent suggested measures that went far beyond economic necessity.

But whatever the response of the EU, it will decided by power politics that appear very distant from the control of the voter.

There has never been a drop out in the EU as of yet (not even the UK)

Correcting myself, partially:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_from_the_European_U...

Greenland and Algeria left the EEC (EU precursor)