Letters: Brexit benefits for Britons in France
Connexion readers share their experiences
All of the readers agree that there were certainly some downsides to Brexit...
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To the Editor,
I write regarding Nick Inman’s recent article asking ‘Was Brexit a no-win for everyone?’
I am a resident of France and from the UK, plus I voted for Brexit, so I suspect I am the sort of person the question was directed towards.
I have been a long-term supporter of the EU project and had many arguments with my late father (who was very much against joining the EU back in the 1970s) over this subject.
The reason I changed my mind was because I retired and found time to do some research on what I was voting for. I was shocked and disappointed at the level of corruption within the EU, plus many other things, and felt I could not put my name to it.
Before Brexit, my wife and I had two homes and had mostly spent our time in France. The vote made us sit down and talk about what we wanted to do.
We picked France and, armed with our new residency cards, doors opened. There were no longer arguments over where we were resident, as seemed the case before, because the card offered proof.
How do I feel about people coming to France after Brexit? While I understand it is not so easy for them, is it not what is best for France that counts?
Over time, the standard of Britons who come to France will only get better – fewer untaxed British cars on French roads, more Britons learning the language etc.
How many times have we moaned about Brits not following the rules and letting the side down? Not any longer…
I could write more but I suspect it will not change minds. People will still vote for what suits or benefits them.
The fact it made no difference to my wife and I is just luck – and faith that France is a great country and would not have kicked us out. But having lived in France for 11 years now, in my heart I always knew that.
Will R North, by email
To the Editor,
For exactly eight years, the Yorkshire Bylines has painstakingly kept track of all the upsides and downsides of Brexit. Now seems to be a good time to take stock.
It lists 39 upsides. Thirty-nine things which Britain did not have or could not do while it was a member of the EU.
Even the keenest Brexiters could name only a few possible benefits, such as regaining sovereignty (which was never lost), control of the borders (which was never given up), more money for the NHS (which did not materialise), reducing immigration (which is now higher than ever). But they did not even dream of 39 upsides.
Hardly any one of them, for example, may have thought it possible for wine producers to sell 'piquette', a kind of diluted wine-like drink, and that even in pint-sized bottles! This on its own was worth the bottle – sorry, battle.
We have to concede that there are also a handful of minor downsides. At the time of writing (September 26, 2024) there were only 2,000 listed.
But what are these tiny things compared with the 39 major benefits?
Almost nothing. Compared to what could have happened (if the UK had not had such excellent negotiators) they are more or less only a drop in the ocean.
Some of these so-called downsides are debatable. Stricter passport and border controls, for example, can be seen as part of the fun of making holidays abroad.
In contrast, for the members of the Schengen area this is extremely boring: they can get from one country into another country without realising they have crossed a border. No passport, no stamp, no fingerprint, no facial check – nothing.
It is unbelievable, but there are voices which request re-joining the EU. Really? Rejoining would mean giving up all the 39 hard-won upsides of leaving. These people must be kidding. Rejoining must never happen. Never! At least not before the end of this year.
Helmuth Porschen, by email
Read more: Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards: French residency requirement rules
To the Editor,
Regarding Nick Inman’s request in October’s Connexion for people who are happier after Brexit: well, my husband and I, both of whom voted for Brexit, are no less happier than when we arrived in France in 2003.
We voted for Brexit because we were under the impression that the UK would be able to control immigration and would regain sovereignty.
That was a mistake and it did not work. However, since then, as far as we are concerned, life here is just as good as the day we arrived.
The only people who do not like Brexit are the moaners who did not get their own way. They were so convinced they knew best that many did not even bother to vote.
June Shute, by email
How do you feel about Brexit in retrospect? Are there any upsides? Let us know your experience at letters@connexionfrance.com
