West Dorset

In an increasingly dangerous world Britain needs to belong to a trading and diplomatic block. Brexiteers' hopes that the USA would support an isolated Britain have been demolished. Young people in Britain need to be able to study in Europe, to understand Europe and eventually to be free to work there. Economically Brexit has been a disaster and many smaller companies have struggled to export to the EU. With increasing protectionism this situation can only get worse. We need to be within a trading block to shake off the challenges of Chinese imports. Traditionally Britain has always been isolated. Being a member of the EU made us more international in outlook - in terms of trade, culture, education and even holidays. So being a member of the EU is much more than just for financial benefit. When were in the EU we were bad members - no EU flags flew on government offices or town halls, substantial grants from the EU were not recognized, there was no EU information in schools or universities. We were lukewarm members. I hope that if and when we return we become more enthusiastic about the principles and concept of a united Europe,

J. H.

9 November 2026

I realise I am very lucky. I retired from work and was able to move to live in France full time in 2015. The Brexit referendum result was a disaster, immediately making our status as residents in France uncertain into the future, our freedom to live in the EU suddenly removed. Fortunately the French authorities made the process, once it was organised, relatively easy. HOWEVER, the worry now is the distinct possibility of Marine Le Pen becoming President, with her party's hostility to migrants, making it difficult or impossible to renew our existing right to reside (titre de séjour). This is a situation that thousands of British citizens in France are also in. I will add that I receive a UK government pension on which I am obliged to pay UK income tax. There are many, many economic reasons why the UK would benefit from rejoining the EU. I write to emphasise the possibility of my established way of life, commenced before the UK left the EU, being upturned by a change in French policy towards migrants. Rejoining the EU would alleviate this fear.

A. W. S.

8 November 2026