Out vote is a betrayal say expats

AS the scorching sun set last night on one of Spain’s proudest expat communities, it may also be going down on the dream of 1.3 million Brits living abroad in the EU.

Generations of Brits have treasured the idea of quitting their day job in Blighty, selling up and moving to the sunny Costas to see out their days at a slower pace of life while keeping their British citizenship.

Some have tapped the expat market by opening shops selling a taste of home, such as baked beans and Marmite, or a bar.

British couple Sue and Chris Glover turned their dream into reality 13 years ago when they sold up and moved to the pretty town of Los Belones in Murcia, southern Spain, where they raised their three kids and run Glover’s Sports bar.

But is their dream of an idyllic life in the sun about to turn into a nightmare? Thursday’s vote to leave the EU has cast serious doubts over “Brexpats” who have used the EU Freedom Of Movement Act.

This year the Glovers paid off their mortgage and opened the thriving bar that is now the town’s social hub, attracting an even mix of Brits and Spaniards.

Standing under a St George’s flag, landlady Sue fought back the tears as she took in the referendum result.

She said: “Like everyone else here, I feel totally betrayed, lost, angry, upset and worried about the future. I feel we have been stripped of our liberty, identity and financial security.

“We’re EU and British citizens. You couldn’t just tell us to stop being British but we’re being told to stop being European. It’s a huge part of who we are.

“Money aside, this is about who we are. But our house price has already plummeted by 30 per cent, according to the estate agent, due to the weakening pound. If we moved back to the UK, we’d be so hard up.”

The freedom of movement deal for British expats has always cut both ways – they plough their hard-earned cash into the businesses and properties of a struggling economy and benefit from better weather.

But under Article 50, Britain has just two years to arrange new deals with EU member states post Brexit. And with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker already giving Britain its marching orders, a possible eviction date looms large.

He told Britain the other 27 member states wanted to negotiate its exit plan “as soon as possible, however painful this process will be”.

Spanish residents of Los Belones would be sad to see the Brits leave.

Local barber Angel Mesenguer Navarro, 44, said: “I don’t like that the UK has left the European Union. It’s going to hit me hard, 40 per cent of my customers or British.

“Leaving the EU will not only affect my business but the local economy, too.

“I don’t know where we will get the money from. I’m scared that it will push Spain back into a crisis again.

“I respect the decision of the voters, it’s their right after all. David Cameron has not just let you down but us, too.”