What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

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markwilding
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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby markwilding » Tue Feb 23, 2016 12:42 pm

masterob wrote:
Mark, the argument you cite is the least quoted. Those most quoted are - Britain being able to decide for itself rather than directed by Brussels; full control of border to limit numbers entering; trading freely with the rest of the world and, not least, the saving of the payments made to the EU! Let's not forget that it's thanks to the tax-payers of Germany and the UK that Spain built much of its modern infrastructure including its excellent AVE and motorway network!
It's never quoted because the anti EU people only quote from their point of view. Saying that Britain is directed by Brussels is the same as saying Manchester is directed by London. The parliament and administrative centre is based there. The decisions are made by the member governments.

Lets also not forget that many Spanish companies operate in the UK. Investment doesn't only come through government subsidies and even then the UK benefits from the subsidies.

The new deal that Cameron got ( We were told by Farage that to get one would be impossible due to EU law) could have major consequences to British citizens working in other EU countries if they impose the same rules on us.

markwilding
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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby markwilding » Tue Feb 23, 2016 12:42 pm

It was always going to be difficult to keep this thread on subject. It has already been suggested that a new thread should be opened to argue the pros and cons. In fact I'm surprised nobody has yet.
masterob wrote:

Mark, the argument you cite is the least quoted. Those most quoted are - Britain being able to decide for itself rather than directed by Brussels; full control of border to limit numbers entering; trading freely with the rest of the world and, not least, the saving of the payments made to the EU! Let's not forget that it's thanks to the tax-payers of Germany and the UK that Spain built much of its modern infrastructure including its excellent AVE and motorway network!
It's never quoted because the anti EU people only quote from their point of view. Saying that Britain is directed by Brussels is the same as saying Manchester is directed by London. The parliament and administrative centre is based there. The decisions are made by the member governments.

Let's also not forget that many Spanish companies operate in the UK. Investment doesn't only come through government subsidies and investment returns don't always follow the same form.

Anyway, The UK benefits from those same subsidies.

The new deal that Cameron got ( We were told by Farage that to get one would be impossible due to EU law) could have major consequences to British citizens working in other EU countries if they impose the same rules on us.

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby detourer » Tue Feb 23, 2016 3:22 pm

Keeping it simple and on topic………
EU immigrants in Spain do not make up the greatest total number. Only Germany, Italy and the UK feature in the top 10 nationalities [Brits are 4th].
So if it’s an OUT Brits will just join the 7 other and lose what…….I suspect [am sure] nothing.
Go to the grave in an attractive and well preserved body? Rather skid in sideways, women on each arm, champagne and credit card in each hand, body thoroughly used, abused, totally worn out and screaming …."WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE"

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby katy » Tue Feb 23, 2016 3:49 pm

UK has the largest number of tourists going to Spain. Around 15 million if the figures are correct. Probably more this year now a few other places are off the map! Tourism accounts for about 7% of Spain's GDP. They are unlikely to impose restrictions on UK cars or impose visas. If they did it would just be tit for tat.

markwilding
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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby markwilding » Tue Feb 23, 2016 4:14 pm

detourer wrote:Keeping it simple and on topic………
EU immigrants in Spain do not make up the greatest total number. Only Germany, Italy and the UK feature in the top 10 nationalities [Brits are 4th].
So if it’s an OUT Brits will just join the 7 other and lose what…….I suspect [am sure] nothing.
The UK is the 4th of what? If you are talking about economies, It isn't. it's 5th has been as low as 7th in the last few years. India and Brazil are catching up fast.

If you are, the problem is that the USA and China are the first two. All the member counties in the EU just about make up a economic block of similar size.

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby detourer » Tue Feb 23, 2016 4:47 pm

The clue is in the first sentence, where did economies come into it…..? PEOPLE……..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_Spain

:crazy:
Go to the grave in an attractive and well preserved body? Rather skid in sideways, women on each arm, champagne and credit card in each hand, body thoroughly used, abused, totally worn out and screaming …."WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE"

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby Girlingfoss » Tue Feb 23, 2016 11:22 pm

Do not worry be happy, nothing will change, the out campaign assures us, based on facts that are 50 years old, when the world was a very different place. If you are willing to risk that life will not change for expats then you are kidding yourselves. THE EU is not going to roll over and invite us back and any negotiation over existing benefits will be very hard.
France and Belgium said no more deals and when you leave don't expect a welcome mat back.
All this for some pie in the sky thing about sovereignty. and having a say in the government, how many really vote, and even less vote in the EU elections. Expats will be at the mercy of whatever government is in power, and judging by the current one good luck. your EU protection will be gone.

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby katy » Wed Feb 24, 2016 12:05 am

The whimps are everywhere :D

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby detourer » Wed Feb 24, 2016 1:07 am

Anyway……In or Out I wouldn’t worry that much. There will be no EU, anything like as you know it, in 4 or 5 years……………..
Go to the grave in an attractive and well preserved body? Rather skid in sideways, women on each arm, champagne and credit card in each hand, body thoroughly used, abused, totally worn out and screaming …."WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE"

markwilding
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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby markwilding » Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:59 am

katy wrote:The whimps are everywhere :D
How is that constructive to the debate?

Was it not you that complained about rude posts and staying on topic just the other day ?

For what it's worth I agree with most of Girlingfoss's post.
The reality is that leaving the EU will be a leap in the dark and all the predictions of how it will be are just that, predictions.

Who can really say that nothing will change for expats?. Maybe things will carry on as before but it is just as likely that certain benefits will change such as the ease to come here and work without mountains of bureaucracy. Even if UK workers skills are in demand here, maybe a work visa will be required.

Businesses might prefer not to go through all paperwork and just employ someone from an EU country because it would be easier.

We just don't know because it's all speculation.
Last edited by markwilding on Wed Feb 24, 2016 10:38 am, edited 4 times in total.

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby katy » Wed Feb 24, 2016 10:36 am

I knew you would agree with that post :wave:

I was going to say a lot of cowards around. Yeah the EU is rubbish but we aren't big enough to stand alone stuff. Have said as much in another thread so as not to take this off topic.

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby detourer » Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:31 am

Do all the other NON-EU personnel, who have been here for years, have or need mountains of paperwork to set up businesses or work?
Go to the grave in an attractive and well preserved body? Rather skid in sideways, women on each arm, champagne and credit card in each hand, body thoroughly used, abused, totally worn out and screaming …."WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE"

markwilding
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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby markwilding » Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:36 am

katy wrote:I knew you would agree with that post :wave:

I was going to say a lot of cowards around. Yeah the EU is rubbish but we aren't big enough to stand alone stuff. Have said as much in another thread so as not to take this off topic.
It's not being a coward using common sense. The having more clout argument makes sense to me even if it doesn't to you.

markwilding
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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby markwilding » Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:37 am

detourer wrote:Do all the other NON-EU personnel, who have been here for years, have or need mountains of paperwork to set up businesses or work?
Of course.

Dealing with non-EU countries requires more paperwork.

But it's could be more complicated than that.

This is completely new territory so nobody's knows. Existing residents might have less problems than new ones.

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby katy » Wed Feb 24, 2016 12:12 pm

UK citizens have to jump through the same hoops for residencia as they did before Spain was in the EU. We applied for residencia before Spain fully joined the EU. Needed proof of income, health insurance etc. Exactly the same as now if not a pensioner.

Spain exported 36 million litres of Rioja to UK last year, will they stop selling it to us :D not to mention all the fruit and veg. Although the EU is pricing itself out. Increasingly fruit is coming in from Morocco now and it's good, cheaper too.

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby detourer » Wed Feb 24, 2016 12:24 pm

But the fact is Mark is that it is not new territory. Non-EU nationals have lived and worked for many many years in Spain. We [Brits] will just join the majority of ex-pat-non-nationals………British ex-pat have never formed the largest group of non-nationals living in Spain.
Go to the grave in an attractive and well preserved body? Rather skid in sideways, women on each arm, champagne and credit card in each hand, body thoroughly used, abused, totally worn out and screaming …."WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE"

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby Girlingfoss » Wed Feb 24, 2016 3:33 pm

We just don't know because it's all speculation.

Speculation on no known facts, speculation based on times long ago.
The loss will be huge, the gain is based on certain angry peoples fantasies. All egged on by a few media moguls to sell papers, and politicians looking for political gain.
Whatever happens it is the ordinary folk who will face the consequences, The well off expats will be able to weather the storm and carry on as usual.

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby masterob » Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:17 pm

Why is someone living in Florida getting so worked-up over this? Just curious!

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby Girlingfoss » Thu Feb 25, 2016 11:57 pm

Mainly because I am British and therefore an Expat. More importantly to me we are exploring moving to Spain and are coming for eight weeks beginning May to look at places to live.
Being pensioners it is important to us if there is an exit, so for that it is a purely selfish reason.

We have always been very pro EU and living at the moment in a very large country can see what power is available to it in terms of negotiations treaties etc. We also see what hoops non nationals such as brits have to go through to live here or start a business here. Many return to the UK because it is such an headache, many would love it if it was the same as going to an EU member country.

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Re: What effect on us if GB leaves the EU?

Postby katy » Fri Feb 26, 2016 12:03 am

Many in EU countries seem to have to jump through hoops too.

If their is one thing that has united the country it is that both in and out of the EU are united in thinking Cameron has got a rubbish deal, in fact. A non deal.


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