Want us back?

OK, folks, I understand that Britain is an island and your space is limited.  That is a no-brainer. All countries have a limited ability to welcome incomers. The question I want you to consider very carefully before screaming to leave Europe and get rid of “all these EU immigrants wanting hand-outs” is this.

Do you want to swap them for your streets flooded with elderly, sick, poor Brits who used to live elsewhere? Believe me that once they are thrown out of whichever country they moved to, they will not be able to buy a property in the UK and even renting will be steep.

See – the thing about going abroad for profit isn’t new. Selling a modest semi in Britain to buy a small manor house in France is an old story, investing the profit, using the bigger space as a B and B …and having access to a cheaper cost of living, the best health care service in Europe and sometimes playing both ends off against the middle to avoid paying tax. These people were laughing all the way to Credit Agricole.

I’ve been in Europe long enough to know what it was like before the “free movement” rules and was nearly evicted from France when living aboard my boat. Due to an incorrectly filled-in form, the customs arrived to ask if I was leaving today or tomorrow and would I like them to arrest me now.

Make no mistake, if Britain leaves Europe, a lot of your grandparents, in-laws etc will be seeking lodgings. Want them in your house?

Me? I’m a French citizen. When I decided to live and work, pay my taxes and be in the system, I applied for and got naturalisation. There are, however, a great many others who are going to be in “la merde” big time if you lot get your way.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction – think about it before you vote to leave Europe.