Is there anything likeable about the Swiss?

One of the top stories over at the BBC today is the Swiss minaret vote; according to exit polls the Swiss have voted to ban the building of the Islamic spires:

the BBC's correspondent in Berne says if it is confirmed, it would be a surprise

I can only suggest that the BBC needs a new Berne correspondent. The Swiss are a particularly conservative country (never a nice quality), with a tendency towards isolationism, and their particular form of direct democracy enables some of the more abhorrent public opinions get passed into law. I would have been surprised if the vote went the other way.

Switzerland is one of those countries Europe would be better off without.