Bye Bye Britain. It was nice knowing you (Long read)

[Romke]

I was born in the Netherlands but I’ve never felt Dutch. I’ve lived most of my adult life in France but I will never feel French. I’m a European, and have felt like one ever since my parents took me on my first foreign holidays in the late 1950s. And as an adult I’ve never stopped living the European life, probably more than most

My sons were born in the Netherlands, went to a German school in Ireland, and now live and work in France. My own career path spans four European countries. We all speak three or four languages.

Even my lovelife has been a Pan-European joyride. In the seventies I married a French girl that I had met in Spain. In the nineties my second wife became an English lady that I had met in France (we married in Gibraltar). And in between I had an affair with an Italian woman that I had met in Ireland.

In the past half century I’ve holidayed in countless European countries, from Lapland to Sicily, from Ireland to Greece, and most countries in between. Britain has often featured in my travels: I have fond memories of my journeys through Cornwall, Scotland, Wales, Ulster, the Lake District and many more places. I have in-laws in the West Midlands, and friends in Cambridge and Kent.

Britain rocks as a place to travel to. At least it did until now.

It all changed for me when half of the Brits decided (twice!) that their country could do without Europe, the continent that I’ve loved all my life. I can’t understand that they don’t realize what they’re throwing away for themselves and -more importantly- for their kids and grandkids. No British citizen born this century has had a say in their future. And for what reason? For the illusion of “taking back control”?

If “taking back control” was your motivation, stop dreaming. “Big Brussels” may not be perfect but isn’t your biggest enemy. Big Food, Big Pharma, Big Data, Big Energy, Big Military, Big Media are really in control and there’s nothing that a Little Country can do to curtail them. Large parts of your industry are already in foreign hands. Bentley and MINI are owned by Germans, Land Rover and Jaguar by Indians. Americans and Japanese own the rest of your car industry. Foreign oligarchs and tycoons own your football clubs. London’s best real estate is in the hands of Middle Eastern yuppies. Even your precious blue passports are made in France!

In my wallet I have three small plastic cards: a European ID card, a European driving license and my EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) card. They have been all I need to feel welcome and safe in all European countries, including the UK. Until now.

If I want to travel to the UK in the near future I will have to buy an expensive passport, try to figure out where I can find an international driving license, spend money on travel insurance, and I’m not even sure if I can go to the UK with our dog.

It just isn’t worth the hassle.

So I’ve decided to abandon Britain as my holiday destination. Europe may not be perfect but at least there are about thirty countries that still let me cross borders without being asked questions.

So it’s bye-by to Britain. Mind the potholes, enjoy your chlorinated chicken, say hello to your 50.000 new nurses, try to stay away from your 40 new hospitals, and pray that your kids will forgive you your choices.

Thanks for the memories!

 

[CaliforniaBen]

 

[Velma's Dad]

 

[westfalia]

Thats an interesting path you have had.
Wish you would've elaborated on the Italian affair a bit more.

But, i think i know where you're coming from, cos i too have a sneaking
suspicion that @Bjohnson on here has the keys to No 10.

 

[Joker 1299]

I was born in the Netherlands but I’ve never felt Dutch. I’ve lived most of my adult life in France but I will never feel French. I’m a European, and have felt like one ever since my parents took me on my first foreign holidays in the late 1950s. And as an adult I’ve never stopped living the European life, probably more than most

My sons were born in the Netherlands, went to a German school in Ireland, and now live and work in France. My own career path spans four European countries. We all speak three or four languages.

Even my lovelife has been a Pan-European joyride. In the seventies I married a French girl that I had met in Spain. In the nineties my second wife was an English lady that I had met in France (we married in Gibraltar). And in between I had an affair with an Italian woman that I had met in Ireland.

In the past half century I’ve holidayed in countless European countries, from Lapland to Sicily, from Ireland to Greece, and most countries in between. Britain has often featured in my travels: I have fond memories of my journeys through Cornwall, Scotland, Wales, Ulster, the Lake District and many more places. I have in-laws in the West Midlands, and friends in Cambridge and Kent.

Britain rocks as a place to travel to. At least it did until now.

It all changed for me when half of the Brits decided (twice!) that their country could do without Europe, the continent that I’ve loved all my life. I can’t understand that they don’t realize what they’re throwing away for themselves and -more importantly- for their kids and grandkids. No British citizen born this century has had a say in their future. And for what reason? For the illusion of “taking back control”?

If “taking back control” was your motivation, stop dreaming. “Big Brussels” may not be perfect but isn’t your biggest enemy. Big Food, Big Pharma, Big Data, Big Energy, Big Military, Big Media are really in control and there’s nothing that a Little Country can do to curtail them. Large parts of your industry are already in foreign hands. Bentley and MINI are owned by Germans, Land Rover and Jaguar by Indians. Americans and Japanese own the rest of your car industry. Foreign oligarchs and tycoons own your football clubs. London’s best real estate is in the hands of Middle Eastern yuppies. Even your precious blue passports are made in France!

In my wallet I have three small plastic cards: a European ID card, a European driving license and my EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) card. They have been all I need to feel welcome and safe in all European countries, including the UK. Until now.

If I want to travel to the UK in the near future I will have to buy an expensive passport, try to figure out where I can find an international driving license, spend money on travel insurance, and I’m not even sure if I can go to the UK with our dog.

It just isn’t worth the hassle.

So I’ve decided to abandon Britain as my holiday destination. Europe may not be perfect but at least there are about thirty countries that still let me cross borders without being asked questions.

So it’s bye-by to Britain. Mind the potholes, enjoy your chlorinated chicken, say hello to your 50.000 new nurses, try to stay away from your 40 new hospitals, and pray that your kids will forgive you your choices.

Thanks for the memories!

If, like me, you were born in the fifties, you will remember the days when Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the U.K.) were not in the ‘Common Market’. I don’t recall any great problems in travelling across the continent. Personally, my preference would have been change from within, but democracy has its way and times move on. I look forward to working with our new neighbours. Happy new decade.

 

[Digger]

That's democracy. Like it or not but it is down to Junker and his lot for ridiculing Cameron and his limited requests. We shall see what the future holds but you are still welcome as before.

 

[kave]

I also must admit that UK had been on my todo list of places to go to. It has since the latest developments been much lower on out list, if it is still there.
My largest supplier in my company is uk based, I placed the last order with them last week. From now its german suppliers. There is always something good in all bad, I hope we will see soon.

 

[Alan Andrews]

It has been argued and told many times before in the past 3+ years.

The UK IS NOT leaving Europe!

We have chosen to leave the EU in name only.

Time will tell that the UK will remain very close to the EU going forward.

Yes some things will change a little, but the UK will continue to be European both in location and outward thinking.

 

[Duxdeluxe]

 

[RobSWBeach]

Lovely post I still intend to travel Europe in May I had at last check noticed we voted leave the EU... Not completely barricade ourselves off from Europe.... And if anything changes from what has been in place then like an adult I will deal with it and just get on.

 

[Joker 1299]

View attachment 53732

That’s about right; we’ll go fend off the bad guy!

 

[Amarillo]

We had planned to spend a full year living in Spain before our boys go to secondary school so they can attend a local school and learn to speak Spanish properly. That plan is all but dead now. The only way we are likely to do it is if we can get a place and afford an international school. That would tie us to a major city.

I don’t suppose the pet passport scheme or visa free travel arrangements will change much, but you may well require a passport.

 

[Lightning]

We had planned to spend a full year living in Spain before our boys go to secondary school so they can attend a local school and learn to speak Spanish properly. That plan is all but dead now. The only way we are likely to do it is if we can get a place and afford an international school. That would tie us to a major city.

I don’t suppose the pet passport scheme or visa free travel arrangements will change much, but you may well require a passport.

Visa free travel is likely to be limited to 90 days in any 180.

 

[Lightning]

Visa free travel is likely to be limited to 90 days in any 180.

From the Gov website:


Pet travel: allow at least 4 months to arrange
After Brexit you will not be able to use the existing pet passport scheme.
Instead you’ll need to follow a different process, which takes 4 months.
Follow the guidance about pet travel to Europe after Brexit.
Entering other countries
Visas for short trips: you will not need one if you’re a tourist
If you’re a tourist, you will not need a visa for short trips to EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, to work or study, or for business travel.

 

[vwsween]

Bye then.

 

[soulstyledevon]

The EU.
A fantastic idea for the richest and most powerful men in Europe to control the poorest and weakest...

Thank God we never joined the Euro.
A ticking time bomb, if ever there was one...!

 

[flying banana]

Bye then.

You beat me to that one. As for a passport, when was the last time anyone from the UK went to Spain or France without one? so not sure about that comment or this person clearly has never travelled out of the eu in their whinging life. IDP COSTS ABOUT 6 euro. More remoaner anti democracy whinging and pro ably really pished off by the real fact of the pound becoming stronger. BYE THEN

 

[Wild Bob]

Bye then.

Bye Bye

 

[Duxdeluxe]

What’s with all the vitriol ?

 

[Joker 1299]

What’s with all the vitriol ?

Shark attack!

 

[Lightning]

The loss of the freedom to travel, work and study in the EU is a massive loss to us. Travel insurance, visas, time limits, bank charges etc. It’s all going to become a massive pain in the arse. In return we get nothing much...

 

[Adamvanman]

Goodbye and roll on 31st January

 

[Amarillo]

From the Gov website:


Pet travel: allow at least 4 months to arrange
After Brexit you will not be able to use the existing pet passport scheme.
Instead you’ll need to follow a different process, which takes 4 months.
Follow the guidance about pet travel to Europe after Brexit.

I’m fairly sure this advice and the other advice you cited applies to a no deal Brexit. It appears that the government have agreed to at least 11 months of vassalage to the EU when we shall have to abide by EU rules, and contribute to its coffers, without having a say in its decisions. I think they refer to this as “taking back control”.

During those 11 months the EU and UK will try to thrash out which institutions of the EU the UK remains a part of.

I’m unsure of the status of the Pet Travel Scheme but believe it extends well beyond the EU and includes the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Clearly the UK is part of the Pet Travel Scheme as part of the EU, so would need to rejoin as a separate country. I do not see why membership might be rejected in 12 months time.

 

[WelshGas]

We voted for the Common Market but I don’t recollect ever voting to join a Federated Europe.
As far as travelling in Europe, apart from applying for a 3 yr Visa I doubt if there will be any changes. I’ve always required my Passport and car documents and always taken Travel Insurance so doubt if much will change.
Anyway, if some of the European news is correct we may well be joined by some other EU members in the not too distant future.

 

[Ocean Spirit]

David Cameron was an ar*e for trying to call British peoples bluff. Well actually not just for that but that is the most defining moment in our recent history and the reason for brexit.
Would it not have been more rational to invest in truly understanding why leavers feel the way they do and facing the challenge head on with Brussels?
That said, if he had, would arrogance get in the way and see little Britain left with no choice in even more controversial rules, systems and costs? I expect so.
Either way an opportunity to explore that is lost and lost because of David Cameron. So albeit by a slim margin democracy won the day and every attempt since from those wishing to remain failed. Further more trust across the major parties slipped away with their ridiculous claims resulting in a landslide victory in the general election.
As a nation we have chosen to stand on our own two feet @Romke, that is our right. It says more about the state of our parites that it does about belief in Boris.
Anything that goes wrong will be blamed on brexit and no doubt there will be some genuine consequences. None of this means, leave voters feel any different about any EU residents, the wish to travel, do business, or welcome them to our shores or rewrite rules for the sake of it. What it means is we put Britain first or at least ensure that we have the choice not to accept things that we perceive disadvantage us.
Many people have vested personal interests that cloud what the reality can be.
It does not matter if you don't want to come because of what you perceive will make it not worth it. It does not matter if I choose not to persue european trips if they become to difficult or more expensive.
What matters now is everybody makes the best of the outcome, firstly for the ability to have a stable secure future where health, education and sustainability for future generations are the main focus.None of this is possible if we turn our back on anybody. I guess that the slim majority doesn't care so much about cheap flights and easy access to european destinations. I'm happy to ground all planes, top single occupant vehicles and many other things for the sake of those who will inhabit the planet in years to come. OK that gone off at a tangent I know but who cares about precious passports made in France and many other things you mention in the original post. My neighbours and I don't rely on each other or dictate what each should do but we socialise and help each other in so many ways. When its not doable, there is no need to fall out.
It could be a rocky road so why not try to make it smooth? Bye Bye Britain is very Cameronesque in its own way.