Well, Theresa May has confirmed what us remoaners have been saying since the EU referendum in 2016: the older generation has sold out the younger generation by voting to end free movement. When I said that older people had decided that their children could not enjoy the rights and freedoms they themselves enjoyed, there was much gnashing of teeth and wailing. Of course, Brexiters love their children as much as remainers but let’s not pretend that the future will be so bright for the next generation. Now we know it has been snatched away.
Free movement allowed us to live, love, study, live and retire in other EU countries. I know countless people who have done just that. People who have moved to France, the Netherlands and Spain to work, others who have moved to Italy, Spain and Greece to retire. Many, if not all, have integrated into their new communities, learned the language and embraced their new culture. By the same token, many EU citizens have come to Britain. I met plenty of them staying in and visiting hospitals this year. May has confirmed tonight that free movement will end. This is not a remoaner from project fear saying this: it’s the prime minister.
At least we will not require visas when we visit EU countries in future once we step off a cliff. EU negotiators have said that bit already. However, the real risk is now that, as well as losing our free movement, it will become far more difficult and more expensive to travel abroad. And, as we pull up the drawbridge and tighten up the borders, it will be us Brits who feel the major effects.
May completed her announcement with the following words: “I firmly believe with my head and heart that this decisive choice is in the best interests of the entire UK.” If she really means this, then I am afraid she is an idiot. Every available form of Brexit is far worse than what we already have. Instead of taking control, her nonsensical Chequers agreement will see the UK lose control. Instead of gaining influence in the world, we will continue to lose it. We will all be worse off in both the short and long term.
If nothing else, May has united everyone, But only in that virtually everyone thinks her deal is rubbish. If you put lipstick on a pig, it is still a pig and her Chequers shambles is the biggest, fattest pig of them all. It’s lucky us oldies won’t be around when our children realise what we have done to end their freedom of movement. I doubt they’ll be very happy.
