![Molly Williams, 24, believes freedom of movement is a fundamental right [Courtesy: Molly Williams]](https://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/imagecache/mbdxxlarge/mritems/Images/2019/1/29/763a6d06254e469c868bc4fd336693e4_18.jpg "The view from Spain: British migrants fear Brexit impact")
Molly Wallen, a British Expatriate living in Spain
Summary
Brexit is the term for Britain's exit from the European Union (EU). In June 2016 the citizens of Britain voted on whether or not they would like their country to stay in EU. The final referendum was to exit from the EU and as a result of this, the official date for Britain to leave the EU was set for the 29th March 2019. (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/world/europe/what-is-brexit.html)
While many UK residents are excited with the prospects of leaving EU, but in some of the other countries in the EU, British migrants worry for their rights and freedom after Brexit. Writer Joe Wallen from Aljazeera interviews migrants from Britain living in Spain about their concerns on Brexit. For the past two years their lives have been filled with worrying about the future while having sleepless nights. About 1.3 billion "British expatriates" reside in the European union, the largest fraction believed to be in Spain. Wallen talks to Molly Williams, 24, who has traveled all over the union. Her biggest fear is losing the ability to move freely across Europe and to be restricted to a particular area, like foreigners from non EU countries.
Meanwhile Jo Chipcase, 47, is worried for her children, who have experienced only the Spanish schooling system and want to continue studying at a nearby university. Uprooting their entire life could change their entire future and demeanor.
Normally everyone reacts to stress differently, Sue Wilson, 65, believes a no-deal Brexit won't happen, reliant on an extension for article 50. Her main worries include the depericiating currency, British Pound, will negatively affect her family's income. These are just are perspectives of a few people, but over 310,000 face an uncertain future. Brexit continues to scare people as the deadline closes in.
Reaction
It is appalling to see the impending chaos that will be caused by the exit of one of the most powerful nation from a strong economic block. As an outsider, it is hard to understand the intent of Britain's exit, but I believe that the citizens of Britain came together to vote for what they felt would be best for their country's future. Nationalism plays a big role in making a country strong and powerful, and Britain's citizens felt that being part of a larger union or group was a hinderance in their path. However, they did not fully anticipate the immediate impacts on their own economy and the lives of their citizens abroad.
Connection
Brexit seems similar to the collapse of the Soviet Union after the Cold War. The disintegration of the USSR led to the formation of smaller and weaker economic powers, that could not sustain the challeges posed by the global economies. As a result, many of the disintegrated countries lack wealth and opportunities that existed while they were a part of the larger union with Russia. Will Brexit lead to the disintegration of the entire union?
Questions for discussion
1. What steps can be taken to plan Brexit to occur smoothly this year?
2. It seems that Brexit can not be prevented now. What are some of the action items that the British expartriates need to take now, in order to prevent major disruptions to their lives post Brexit?
3. How do you think the citizens of the other EU countries will start treating their British expatriate once they cease to be a part of the union?
According to https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-impac
ReplyDeletet-on-european-regions-revealed-by-eu-report-phase-2-negotiations/, EU leaders are aware of the dangerous outcomes of Brexit. President Macron of France exclaimed that the European Union must “present a united front or risk an outcome unfavorable to the European Union and thus to each one of us.” While Brexit seems inevitable, so does its impact, and people in the EU are concerned for trade, agriculture, fisheries, citizens returning from the UK, and cuts to the EU budget. Therefore, the EU must stand together in this inevitable situation, instead of fall apart over Brexit’s impact, in order for Brexit to occur smoothly.
According to BBC their is a currently a brexit withdrawal bill in the parilment that would grant birtish ex partriots the ability to move freely until 2020(https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46841041). This would give expatriots time to get themselves either settled in their new countries of settled back in great britian. British expatriots should start to explore dual citizenships and other methods in order to grant them the movement they desire between countries. However many will be unable to move about as they used to due to brexit.
ReplyDeleteBritain always has been and most likely will continue to be a major world power. Since 1973, Britain has been a large contributor to the EU, and Brexit will not only affect the citizens and government of Great Britain but the citizens and politicians of other European Countries as well. According to BBC, the exiting process can be undone, although at this point it seems unlikely. As long as a majority of people can accept this move, the process should go fairly smoothly, but the exit of Britain may lead to a power struggle between the remaining countries in the EU. I think that overall there may be some struggles for the British population in regards to travel regulations and currency, but I believe that many of the countries have enough respect for Great Britain and their history to help the process move as smoothly as possible. Most countries would like to avoid another altercation at all costs, and as hopefully Brexit will work well for Britain and the rest of the EU.
ReplyDeleteAccording to BBC, the Brexit can be with drawled, but is highly unlikely. This drastic transition is inevitable and the exit of Britain may lead to a power struggle along the EU. EU leaders are staying cautious to the outcomes of Brexit. The Brexit will not only affect the citizens of Great Britain but as well as other European countries. In order for Brexit to occur smoothly, the EU must stay strong for Brexit's inexorable impact.
ReplyDeletePeople in the EU are concerned for the trade and travel aspect from the UK. Again, hopefully, the EU will stay strong for the Brexit's impact.
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ReplyDeleteI think that for the majority of people living in other EU countries British expatriates are of significant concern. Britain will no longer be part of the EU and because of this citizens of EU countries may feel betrayed, causing them to feel that their government should be either strict or reluctant in offering certain services (meant for EU citizens) to the British expatriates whether the no-deal Brexit takes or does not take place. Some may believe that it would be better if the expatriates returned back to Britain because they are alien migrants that no longer belong to their Union. Nevertheless, I do think that many people are aware that much time, consideration, and organization will be needed to make Brexit tumult-free as possible.
ReplyDeleteI find question 1 rather complicated and struggle attempting to find even a slightly smoother way that could still be functional in attempting a Brexit. However, for the other questions I do not believe that British expatriates coexisting in EU countries need worry about how others may treat them post-Brexit. The political landscape is growing ever more complex and these expatriates seem to have navigated that and at least assimilated in one way or another rather efficiently and with little pain. I think that despite resentment of Brexiteers and Britons post-Brexit, it would be unfair to take that out on normal Brits existing outside of the Britain.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I see where you are coming from Sami, the world isn't always fair. From our point of our view taking out the Brexiteers seems inconsiderate. Citizens of other countries in the union although feel betrayed upon Brexit. For them it was a union where they had made a pact to survival to all and for them Britain failed to deliver. Seeing an ex-EU countries citizens taking advantage of another country while not contributing to the union is what may be the final push to treat them unfairly.
DeleteIn regards to the first question, the most important step in making sure that Brexit occurs as smoothly as possible (provided that it does actually have to happen) is avoid having a no-deal Brexit situation. An exit from the EU simply by default and without pre-existing agreements would mean almost certain chaos for both Great Britain and the rest of the EU-- according to BBC News, it could cause drastic changes in trading and transportation, border checks, need for special EU driving permits, and increased fees for phone usage in EU countries, among other consequences (https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/46607260). The impact of these outcomes, depending on whether they apply to just the recently departed British or to the international community as a whole, would cause massive worldwide inconvenience (an understatement). A Brexit occurring with a deal in place, though still an incredibly difficult change, would help avoid those particular issues. A no-deal situation would stem from politicians being unable to come to a consensus on the best way to proceed with the Brexit situation; by extension, British politicians need to be amenable to inter-party/political ideology concurrence and compromise.
ReplyDeleteBritish people bracing for a split that they may or may not have voted in support of need to be rebuilding infrastructure and support systems that will be available to them regardless of their status in the EU. Brexit (depending on the final deal agreed upon) might not be so kind to British people living within the EU and relying on EU systems, like Alison Curtis and Jo Chipcase. I find it sad that people like them who benefit from (or even survive because of) non-British education and medical care may have to leave that all behind. It seems inevitable that Brexit will have a debilitating effect on the British people; it is up to them and their governments' actions to help them bounce back from the impending hardships.