The first major post-Brexit survey of UK citizens living in the EU has revealed its profound impact on their lives, with many raising serious concerns about the loss of free movement and voting rights – and a very different perception of Britain.
A survey of 1,328 British citizens across the continent showed that “if the public narrative suggests that Brexit was made and dispersed, it has brought profound transformations in the lives of British citizens in the EU and the EEA,” said the study’s co-author. . “Brexit’s long queue is evident in its continued impact on both the way they live their lives and its enduring importance to their sense of identity and belonging,” said Benson, a professor of sociology at the University of Lancaster.
The survey, conducted between December 2021 and January 2022, a year after the end of the Brexit transition period, and part of a larger project by the Universities of Lancaster and Birmingham, found that 59% of respondents had lived in their country in residence for at least five years and most intended to stay.
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But many have been outraged by the loss of free movement, which means they can no longer move within the EU to work or retire in another EU country, and are particularly worried that they will not be able to return to the United States. a kingdom with non-British family members in the future.
Asked whether their migration plans in the past or in the future have been affected by Brexit, 27% of respondents said it has affected them a lot and 14% a lot. – Where does a person start? was the response of a British citizen living in Belgium. “Loss of rights such as freedom of movement across the EU and the United Kingdom. With my husband, who is an EU citizen, I had to decide whether to move to the EU country or stay in the UK. Now the family cannot return to Britain. Uncertainty. “
Another said: “I moved to France in 2020 to defend my right to live and work in France after Brexit. My migration is a 100% result of Brexit. ”
Brexit and the British government’s response to the Covid pandemic severely affected 80% of respondents’ feelings towards the United Kingdom, with responses including “deep shame”, “disappointment”, “shameful show”, “I’m uncomfortable being British”, “shambolic” and “It’s like watching a burning house.”
Just over 30% still feel very or extremely emotionally attached to the UK, compared to 75% who say they have a lot or extreme emotional attachment to the EU, and 59% who feel the same way about their country. residence.
“For me, one of the most interesting things the study reveals is this sense of frustration, shame and pain from Brexit and the pandemic – and indeed a very clear expression of European identity,” Benson said.
About two-thirds have changed their legal status since 2016, acquiring residence or citizenship. But almost half did not have the same status – and therefore the same migration and settlement rights – as some or all of their close family members.
This was a serious or significant concern for the vast majority of respondents who said it affected their own and their children’s work, career and education or would do so in the future.
“My wife is a Russian citizen,” said a respondent in Italy. “Her right to live and work depends on my status under the withdrawal agreement. She is afraid of potential relocation to another EU country, as her residence rights depend entirely on mine.
Those who felt they might want to or should move back to the UK at some point felt particularly affected, as non-British partners and other family members coming with them would now be subject to internal immigration controls in the UK. kingdom.
“I have a house in England,” said a respondent who has lived in the Netherlands for 10 years. “I would retire there. Now for sale. My wife is Dutch. I don’t think she could even move back to the UK – despite co-owning a house, living there for 15 years, fluent in English and two children with dual citizenship. “
The loss of the right to vote in the EU was also a major concern, with 46% saying they could no longer vote in European elections or, in most cases, in local elections in their country of residence. Approximately 42% were also unable to vote in the UK because they had lived abroad for more than 15 years, although this is expected to change.
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