Costa expats speak out on Brexit
FOR MANY weeks now readers have voiced their opinion on Brexit, mainly in our Letter to the Editor section. This week we have taken to the streets to seek some other opinions.
Expats club in Albir
On Tuesday mornings the Companians Social Club meet up in Albir, made up predominantly of retired British expats. One member Barry Priestley said “nothing's going to happen - I think we’re going to stay in the EU”.
Many had moved to Spain but annoyed that they were unable to vote in the referendum because of the 15 year rule which the Government pledged to abolish.
“Had we as expats not only here in Spain but other EU countries had the opportunity to vote, then undoubtedly, it would have swayed the vote to remain” was the general consensus of the 100 plus members present.
Company manager in Benitachell
Gemma Saunders lives in Benitachell and Business Manager at Telitec. She has lived on the Costa Blanca for 17 years and has two daughters, who were both born here.
Asked about Brexit her response was “I have nothing in the UK to go back to. My family all live here - I won’t get a pension from UK as not worked there. I am legal in Spain and put into the Spanish system-so not at all worried about it”
Brexiteer in Jávea
Brexiteer John Deacon believes leading politicians in the British government are trying to “hijack” democracy and prevent the UK leaving the European Union.
He said certain Conservatives like Philip Hammond and Anna Soubry were plotting with “that little person” John Bercow – the Speaker of the House of Commons – to frustrate the process.
John, who lives in Javea, said: “They are trying to hijack democracy and overrule the majority who voted in the referendum.”
He said it was “very frustrating” to witness the “mess” in British Parliament. He said many ‘remainers’ were lying. “They don’t have anything to lie about; the evidence is absolutely clear, the reasons to leave the EU were sovereignty and immigration – the two things the opinion polls said.
“There are also issues like democracy, corruption, and federalism – which is the most frightening of all.”
John said he voted to leave. “It has to be said, the referendum vote was based on what was good for the nation and not what was good for me.”
And he believes up to 40% of the EU population were now “uneasy” with the bloc and its move towards becoming a superstate. “Denmark looks like the next one wanting to leave, or at least hold a referendum and they are not full members, Sweden is close to civil war. The Austrians, Poles and Czechs are not happy.
“I don’t know anyone who has the answer – if we switch on the television we see people outside Parliament screaming their heads off and remainers will just not discuss the situation properly.”
'Total mess' says Calpe resident
Calpe resident Malcolm Saunders believes the EU has moved too far from being a free trade organisation and a “common market” – and thinks the Britain’s break away from the bloc “is a total mess from beginning to end.”
He said: “In two years there have never been any negotiations but only the EU dictating. We should have gone in like Mrs Thatcher and said ‘this is what we are going to do’. The EU is not negotiating but just dictating.
“Theresa May tried but now they are running scared. If there is no deal the EU will lose a lot of money, starting with the €39 billion and the UK’s annual contributions; I think they (Europe) are frightened.
“If the EU wants people to stay, they will have to change... starting with the Euro.”