Expats/Brits Abroad and the EU Referendum
Discussion
jeff m2 said:
A no vote and a subsequent exit, should it happen, will have an impact on the strength of the Pound and a devastating effect on residual incomes and pensions.
Assuming you have any residual incomes or UK pensions.....and assuming the UK economic does worse overall out of Europe than it would in, and in relation with the rest of the world.
I dont think that will be true, even in europe the £ has swung around a fair bit (50% change vs Euro).
Against the NZD its about 2/3rds the value it was 10 years ago, I dont see it being worse off after brexit.
I agree with people living in the EU having a vote, as Britain's continued membership or departure will without doubt have some impact on them. I also don't think there should've been a time limit imposed on them.
People like my sister, on the other hand, who have chosen to make happy, permanent lives outside the EU... why on earth should they have a say?
I really don't understand why people get so hung up on where someone was born anyway.
I have French friends who've lived here for over twenty years, paying taxes and not claiming benefits. They are not entitled to vote in UK Parliamentary Elections, yet my sister, who has lived outside the country for the last fifteen years still is. How is that fair or sensible?
The Americans rebelled over "no taxation without representation", yet we're all perfectly happy to impose that on immigrants whilst allowing ex-pats representation without taxation.
People like my sister, on the other hand, who have chosen to make happy, permanent lives outside the EU... why on earth should they have a say?
I really don't understand why people get so hung up on where someone was born anyway.
I have French friends who've lived here for over twenty years, paying taxes and not claiming benefits. They are not entitled to vote in UK Parliamentary Elections, yet my sister, who has lived outside the country for the last fifteen years still is. How is that fair or sensible?
The Americans rebelled over "no taxation without representation", yet we're all perfectly happy to impose that on immigrants whilst allowing ex-pats representation without taxation.
Hopefully removing the right of the whole of Eastern Europe to move to the UK will lead to a more even handed approach to immigration from outside. Even with 5 years of marriage and a dual nationality kid it's quite a process. If my wife was Romanian it would be no more difficult than loading the car.
Kermit power said:
I agree with people living in the EU having a vote, as Britain's continued membership or departure will without doubt have some impact on them. I also don't think there should've been a time limit imposed on them.
People like my sister, on the other hand, who have chosen to make happy, permanent lives outside the EU... why on earth should they have a say?
I really don't understand why people get so hung up on where someone was born anyway.
I have French friends who've lived here for over twenty years, paying taxes and not claiming benefits. They are not entitled to vote in UK Parliamentary Elections, yet my sister, who has lived outside the country for the last fifteen years still is. How is that fair or sensible?
The Americans rebelled over "no taxation without representation", yet we're all perfectly happy to impose that on immigrants whilst allowing ex-pats representation without taxation.
Because as a citizen of the country I should be able to have a say in how it is run. I live abroad (outside the EU) and have done for 4 years but I won't forever and will move back in later life. Should I be excluded because of this? Should citizens who are on a gap year or a long holiday? Where do you draw the line? I think the line is currently drawn at 15 years. That seems a reasonable, if slightly long time. People like my sister, on the other hand, who have chosen to make happy, permanent lives outside the EU... why on earth should they have a say?
I really don't understand why people get so hung up on where someone was born anyway.
I have French friends who've lived here for over twenty years, paying taxes and not claiming benefits. They are not entitled to vote in UK Parliamentary Elections, yet my sister, who has lived outside the country for the last fifteen years still is. How is that fair or sensible?
The Americans rebelled over "no taxation without representation", yet we're all perfectly happy to impose that on immigrants whilst allowing ex-pats representation without taxation.
I'll be voting to leave. I think it is best for the country long term and also don't have much confidence in the long term survival of the Eurozone which has serious implications for the EU.
Oceanic said:
I live in Sweden, I am little on the fence about the whole thing as nobody can give the actual facts.
So, I am voting remain as it will at least keep things as they are more or less rather than massive unknown.
You know what the EU is going to do in the next 1/3/5/10 years? Do share!So, I am voting remain as it will at least keep things as they are more or less rather than massive unknown.
TEKNOPUG said:
Oceanic said:
I live in Sweden, I am little on the fence about the whole thing as nobody can give the actual facts.
So, I am voting remain as it will at least keep things as they are more or less rather than massive unknown.
You know what the EU is going to do in the next 1/3/5/10 years? Do share!So, I am voting remain as it will at least keep things as they are more or less rather than massive unknown.
TEKNOPUG said:
You know what the EU is going to do in the next 1/3/5/10 years? Do share!
I can only speak about it from my experience and I find it not too bad, yes there are some very frustrating and dumb things that come out of the EU, but all the other benefits kind of balance it out for me personally. That is kind of my point, the uncertainty of 1/3/5/10 years of a Brexit is more of an unknown than remaining. Tony427 said:
We have two relatives living the dream on the Costa del something or other. Its like Eastborne in the sun.
Retired ladies in their mid 70's
Both voted out.
Cheers,
Tony
That's particularly stupid not to mention ironic(assuming you haven't made it up).Retired ladies in their mid 70's
Both voted out.
Cheers,
Tony
For countries with no agreement with the UK, pensions can and are frozen at the rate at the time of emigration.
And how do they think their medical bills will be paid if the UK sever ties with europe ?
And what exactly will prevent Spain from not granting residency permit to Brit Ex-Pats ????
BOR said:
That's particularly stupid not to mention ironic(assuming you haven't made it up).
For countries with no agreement with the UK, pensions can and are frozen at the rate at the time of emigration.
And how do they think their medical bills will be paid if the UK sever ties with europe ?
And what exactly will prevent Spain from not granting residency permit to Brit Ex-Pats ????
Wont they get grandfather rights like other EU people living in the UK? For countries with no agreement with the UK, pensions can and are frozen at the rate at the time of emigration.
And how do they think their medical bills will be paid if the UK sever ties with europe ?
And what exactly will prevent Spain from not granting residency permit to Brit Ex-Pats ????
I am French resident for tax, but divide my time between UK, France and Spain.
The thing that worries me most is that the UK is a very divided nation on this issue. All these weeks of BS from both sides does not seem to have changed public opinion. The problem will not just go away after the 24th June. If anything, the real problems will start then.
I know plenty of French people who would love the opportunity of a referendum, but they recall the last time they had one, and voted NO over Maastricht, somehow it got turned arround into a YES.
The relatively cheap Euro is fabulous for Germany and Holland, but it is killing plenty of poorer economies like Spain and Portugal. I think that the whole US of Europe is a very poor example of Social Engineering that few of its citizens really want.
I voted in, back in the 70s. It made a lot of sense for 11 -15 similar sized and energetic economies. 28 member states is just too many to get anything done. Former Soviet satellite countries being members and new ones courted, just racks-up the potential of conflict with Russia. And who will the EU call on to fix things? USA.
If the EU was an association of Sovreign states operating a single market, I would desperately want to be in. As it is not, I shall be voting for Leave.
The thing that worries me most is that the UK is a very divided nation on this issue. All these weeks of BS from both sides does not seem to have changed public opinion. The problem will not just go away after the 24th June. If anything, the real problems will start then.
I know plenty of French people who would love the opportunity of a referendum, but they recall the last time they had one, and voted NO over Maastricht, somehow it got turned arround into a YES.
The relatively cheap Euro is fabulous for Germany and Holland, but it is killing plenty of poorer economies like Spain and Portugal. I think that the whole US of Europe is a very poor example of Social Engineering that few of its citizens really want.
I voted in, back in the 70s. It made a lot of sense for 11 -15 similar sized and energetic economies. 28 member states is just too many to get anything done. Former Soviet satellite countries being members and new ones courted, just racks-up the potential of conflict with Russia. And who will the EU call on to fix things? USA.
If the EU was an association of Sovreign states operating a single market, I would desperately want to be in. As it is not, I shall be voting for Leave.
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