BREXIT AND ME- VOICES FROM SPAIN

'Brexit and me' EuroCitizens/British in Europe video

It is vital for politicians, journalists and the general public to understand the human cost of Brexit, especially for young people. Some people think that 'everything will be all right' and ask us why we are worrying. Well, you can see the impact already; the uncertainty is profoundly affecting the lives of over four million people who have become bargaining chips. And, in the medium and long-term, Brexit could have huge effects on the education, family lives, jobs and futures of a whole generation.

EuroCitizens has produced interviews with young people and university teachers, both British and Spanish, to find out how they feel about Brexit and how it could affect their lives.

Please share them with family, friends (and enemies), colleagues, school associations etc. 

Links:

1. Brexit - Feelings  “How do you feel about Brexit?”   https://youtu.be/rb975Yz8zVc
2. Brexit - Walls  “Is Brexit putting up new walls?”    https://youtu.be/Y0Csn0BZqS8
3. Brexit - Impact on Education “How will Brexit change life for students and universities?”  https://youtu.be/f5zwkaNuyo4
4. Brexit - Being European “What does being European mean to you?”  https://youtu.be/D_ipEECMW98
5. Brexit - European identity “How does Brexit affect European identity?”   https://youtu.be/4wkuvhnHdDs

Also see this report on the impact of Brexit on students, parents, teachers, researchers, schools, language schools and universities in Spain:

THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF BREXIT ON BRITISH EDUCATION IN SPAIN

THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF BREXIT ON BRITISH EDUCATION IN SPAIN

Brexit could have far-reaching consequences for education both in Spain and Britain. With the current deadlock in negotiations there are serious concerns about the recognition of school-leaving qualifications, the legalisation of documents and the need for work permits for teachers and other staff at British schools and British-owned language schools. Another issue is the payment of UK university fees for pupils at British schools in Spain, which will probably change after Brexit (see table).

BiE NEWSLETTER: THE STATE OF NEGOTIATIONS ON CITIZENS' RIGHTS

See the British in Europe newsletter which was produced by a member of EuroCitizens. We aim to put out these bulletins at least once a month, to keep the members of all coalition groups abreast with BiE activities, as well as with what is happening in the negotiations. 

We are not going through an easy time and we feel that it is important to explain to UKinEU citizens, as clearly and accurately as possible, what 'concessions' each side has made and where exactly we stand on our rights. For nearly a year and a half we have all been suffering from huge uncertainty and anxiety about our futures. If you have a particular query, email us and, if we cannot answer it, we will send it on to the legal experts in the coalition.

Despite the current deadlock and the hardening of attitudes on both sides, EuroCitizens and British in Europe will redouble our efforts over the next few weeks. We cannot sit back and watch our lives being used in this disgraceful game of human poker.

06/10/17: BRITISH IN EUROPE LOBBYING UPDATE (AFTER 4TH ROUND)

Jane Golding in London last month

Response of the3million and British in Europe to Round 4 of the Negotiations:

Executive Summary 

the3million and British in Europe note that some progress has been made in this round over matters such as direct effect, frontier workers, and finalising the agreement on healthcare. Nevertheless, our overall assessment at this stage in the negotiations is that the rights that we currently have as EU citizens are not being protected. The principle expressed by M. Barnier that “Brexit should not alter the nature of people's daily lives” is being undermined with each round of the negotiations. The fact that boxes in the technical note turn green does not mean that our rights are being defended. All the fundamental concerns expressed earlier remain including, in particular, as regards the UK’s proposal of settled status, and the EU’s position not to grant free movement rights to UK citizens in the EU. Above all, the declared fundamental status of EU citizenship is being seriously tested in this unprecedented situation, - and, unfortunately, to date it has been found wanting. Which leaves around 5 million EU citizens asking the question, if not now, when? 

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR SPANISH NATIONALITY

Many Britons who have been living a long time in Spain are so worried about their situation after Brexit that they are applying for Spanish nationality, despite the fact that there is no dual nationality treaty between the two countries. By doing this, people feel that they will be able to conserve the rights that they are in danger of losing. 
Two EuroCitizens members have prepared a table detailing the steps that you need to take in order to apply for Spanish nationality, which we hope will be of use. We are not lawyers and cannot give any advice about whether or not you should make the application. That is up to individuals. What we are doing is lobbying for the introduction of dual nationality for Britons in Spain (Spanish citizens in the UK can get dual nationality).

 

EUROCITIZENS HAS A FRANK AND OPEN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH HM AMBASSADOR SIMON MANLEY

John Carrivick, Sarah-Jane Morris, Camilla Hillier-Fry, Simon Manley, Nigel Aston, Michael Harris

On Thursday 21 September EuroCiizens met HM Ambassador Simon Manley and Consul Sarah-Jane Morris in the British Embassy in Madrid. We explained that we were also representing other British in Europe groups with members in Spain like Bremain and ECREU and presented a document with an extensive list of queries from UK nationals

We started by expressing concern about the state of EU/UK negotiations on citizens' rights. After the promising directives from the EU in May, the 'generous' UK offer at the end of June was disappointing and has caused a hardening of the EU's stance, resulting in a narrower interpretation of the rights of UK citizens in the EU. Mr Manley defended the UK position and pointed out that the UK was tied to some extent by what the EU was prepared to negotiate to date. He added that progress has been made, for example on pensions and healthcare.

We agreed on a methodology for dealing with the queries from UK citizens. The Embassy will get back to us with written answers over the next couple of weeks. Mr Manley stressed that they would not be able to answer all of the questions, especially those of a political nature and those relating to areas not yet agreed between the UK and the EU. EuroCitizens then mentioned various incidents of bureaucratic problems suffered by UK nationals in Spain and Mr Manley promised to take each of them up with the Spanish and British authorities (as appropriate).

EuroCitizens criticised the lack of information on the Embassy webpage and FB page about how Brexit will affect the lives of UK citizens. The Ambassador's videos and letters were useful if somewhat over-optimistic, but what is needed is an area on the webpage to direct citizens to accessible information about the negotiations and any changes that might affect their lives. Ms Morris pointed out the considerable diversity amongst the British community in Spain, but said that the Embassy would look into ways of improving the flow of information.

The meeting lasted nearly two hours and there was a cordial, frank and open exchange of views between both sides. We now look forward to getting answers to the queries sent in by concerned citizens.

BRITISH IN EUROPE LETTER TO THERESA MAY AFTER FLORENCE SPEECH