Sunshine Brits feel the chill of Vote Leave
IT SHOULD have been the perfect retirement for Dave and Yvonne Matthews. The couple, both 69, decided to spend their remaining years on the picturesque Greek island of Kefalonia where Louis de Bernières’ best-selling novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was based.
‘We came here on holiday and fell in love with the laidback way of life and the sunshine,’ says Yvonne.
So 16 months ago they drove their Toyota people carrier through Europe to their new home, a hillside villa overlooking the sea.
Today their dream has been rocked by Brexit and they are naturally worried they might have to return to their home in Portsmouth. ‘We were incredibly shocked by the vote,’ says Yvonne. ‘I really didn’t think British voters would do this. It’s scary and a backwards move.
‘People have voted emotionally. I don’t think they thought enough about the ramifications. The only upside is that Nigel Farage will have to find another job now he’s been made redundant as an MEP.
‘We’ll probably be OK here for the next two or three years, but then as non-EU citizens we’ll have to become Greek residents or go home.’
The couple did not register to vote, something they now regret because the referendum was so close. They are particularly worried a severe drop in the value of the pound would affect their pension and make them poorer. As EU citizens, they receive free healthcare but that could end.
‘Healthcare could also become very expensive,’ says Dave, who walks with a cane. ‘I never thought I would see this day and I’m very sad. It’s the little England mentality that has won. I was convinced the British people would choose to remain.
‘It is a backward step and bad for the future, especially for young Brits wanting to work in Europe. It’s about immigration, but who is going to clean the streets, the public toilets and work on the farms? Not our pampered and spoilt welfare communities, that’s for sure.’
Fellow expat Michael Edward, 65, woke to the news with a mixture of incredulity and worry.
The retired electrician has lived on the island for the past 11 years and says interest rates and freedom of movement are his main worry.
Originally from Cannock near Wolverhampton, he is nut brown from days in the sun. ‘It is going to be a very uncertain time for Brits living in Europe,’ he says. ‘This is a disaster for the British economy. My concern is any drop in the exchange rate and how that would affect my pension. I heard some island hotels are refusing to change pounds because it’s so volatile.
‘There is also the question of freedom of movement. We’ve become very used to just breezing through countries on the Continent. To come and go as we please. Perhaps our daughters and grandchildren will have to get visas to visit.
‘I fear we will become the poor men of Europe if international companies now pull out of London and base themselves in Germany or Ireland. Whatever happens I’m going to stick it out here, even if my
standard of living falls.’ His friend, local hotelier Effie Klonis, 70, and her husband George are owners of the Ananas Hotel in Kefalonia and, for now, are still happy to exchange pounds for euros. But they fear that a weak pound will hit their business hard.
She says: ‘Most of my customers are older Britons. Some are happy and voted to leave because of immigration, but for us it’s no good. Maybe tourists will have difficulties getting here if they need a visa.
‘If the pound gets weaker and the euro stronger that will have a negative impact on my business because English people are my biggest customers – maybe they won’t come if it’s too expensive for them.’
In Athens news of Britain’s exit was cheered by local business people and many British holidaymakers. Standing in the shade of the Acropolis, retired couple John and Liz Turnbull have learned to live with their opposing views on Europe. John, 64, a former British Telecom engineer, believes the economy would be stronger in the EU.
‘I’m not happy with the result because I voted to stay, but I will have to live with it,’ he says. ‘I sus- pect the impact will be hard to begin with, but that we’ll be all right in the long run. Britannia is too big to fail.’
Liz, on the other hand, a 65-year old former pharmacist, is quietly jubilant her Leave vote helped to swing the result. ‘We have asserted our independence,’ she says.
‘The British public have taken back our national identity and made it clear we are willing to steer our own course and I would not be surprised if other disgruntled EU countries vote to follow.’
It is a view echoed on the streets of Athens among Greeks who support the referendum result. Pantelis Melissionos, whose family has been making sandals for three generations, said: ‘The EU is about big business and big banks. It is killing us in Greece. Our taxes have rocketed so high about 90 per cent of what I earn goes to the taxman.
‘Many people have lost their jobs and homes because of debts created by banks. Now Britain has thrown off the heavy yoke of Brussels, it is time we Greeks follow suit.
‘I predict Holland, Italy and Denmark, even France, will soon be considering their position. The EU is a spent force, mark my words.’