tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805101021494090122024-03-05T05:33:30.606+01:00Pensioners Debout! Stand up!This Blog discusses the problems of the British expatriate pensioner in France & Europe. If you are concerned then it is essential that you write to your MP or a Minister. Links to find your MP, and ideas for a letter are at on the right below. You can also comment or email the blog author -- see profile.
Political Action is ESSENTIAL - one must not just grouse. View "FOUR CONCERNS of this blog".Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-74311708030257867682020-01-01T11:04:00.000+01:002017-02-23T09:15:35.300+01:00INDEX and beginning<div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2010/02/index-to-major-postings-on-this-blog.html" style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: white;">*** <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>INDEX</b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> to the major 'postings' on this site</b></span></span></a><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"> (file headings)</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white;">*** </span></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">EMAIL "Debout!"...... *</span><a href="mailto:lefourquet@gmail.com">Say what you </a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:lefourquet@gmail.com">think - of your concerns. </a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.votes-for-expat-brits.com/" style="color: #a64d79;">*Representation of BRITISH CITIZENS</a><span style="color: #a64d79;">* </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2011/08/to-all-british-expatriates-everywhere.html">**Read why all expatriates should be represented at Westminster</a><br />
<a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2011/08/to-all-british-expatriates-everywhere.html"> and why it is absolutely vital for those who live in the EU.**</a><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: red;">The British Public have voted the UK out of the EU. An abyss is opening under expatriates in the European Union. Many were not allowed to vote. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">The author (Brian Cave) has fought since 2002 to awaken the British Citizen to the dangers of ignoring politics - Now a chop is descending, because so many have been so blind. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">At the age of 85, there is little energy left to continue. No doubt I will continue. But I urge readers to become a member of ECREU [Expatriate Citizen Rights in the EU] Free membership. And also join the Liberal Democrat Party - which seems the only Political Party left now- With its reformed outlook, it is the only Party untrammeled with antiquarian views. It is clearly the Party for the Future.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">I have sat on the fence maintaining a non-party political position. It seemed that in that manner I would offend no one. But one cannot go on.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Until February 2016. Then I joined the Liberal Democrats. It is our only hope. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> http://www.libdems.org.uk/membership-faqs</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://www.votes-for-expat-brits.com/">Leave comments at this site [votes for expat brits]</a></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">*<a href="http://lefourquet.net/press-listings.html">This activity has created a large number of articles and some radio interviews around the world - they are listed here. </a>*</span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The latest Posts of importance</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">* http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/british-pensioners-in-europe-and-beyond.html March 2016</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">* <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-effects-of-brexit.html">The effects of a Brexit February 2016 </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">* <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-winter-fuel-payment.html">The Winter Fuel Payment February '16</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">* <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2016/02/eu-justice-protection.html">EU justice & protection </a>February '16.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2015/03/messages-to-citizens-abroad-on-may.html"> Messages from The Political Parties to expatriates March 2015 </a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*<a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2015/01/liars-damned-liars-and-benders-of-truth.html"> The Manipulation of Statistics by the Dept. of Work and Pensions, IMPORTANT</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2014/10/british-pensioners-abroad-under.html">The British pensioners abroad - ignored October 2014</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* The Migration of the British Pensioners August 2014 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">* <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-british-citizens-british-government.html">The British Citizens in Europe - Referendum. June 2014</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">* <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2014/02/who-needs-vote-government-voter.html">Who needs the vote? Government and/or Voter? Feb 2014 </a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">* <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2013/10/health-costs-and-democracy-for-citizens.html">Health costs and democracy in Europe</a></span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2013/10/referendum-inout-europe.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">* The Referendum in/out Europe </span></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">* <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.fr/2013/09/anger-amongst-britons-abroad.html">Anger-amongst-britons-abroad.</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Correspondent list -- An 'update' email </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> is frequently sent</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> to all who email the site. All email addresses are 'hidden' and anonymity is hoped to be always achieved. If you wish to be on this correspondent list, <a href="mailto:lefourquet@gmail.com">please email.</a> Nothing is asked of you, other than your goodwill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;">IF ONE DOES NOTHING _ NOTHING GETS DONE!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="background-color: yellow;">Numbers count </i>when petitioning politicians. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">When letters are sent to politicians it is <i>immensely helpful</i> to say that one has the support of xxxx expatriates. So please give support. Encouragement is also a great boost to morale! Nothing will change without your support!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.lefourquet.net/Blogreaders.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #009900;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;">*The Readers Letters*</span></span></i> link is updated from time to time which see.</span></span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #009900;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #009900;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">One should not expect fast movement but please keep in touch and never surrender.</span></span></span></div>
Short Biography of the Organiser <a href="http://www.lefourquet.net/Biography.doc">*Brian Cave*</a><br />
<span style="color: #009900;">Your thoughts on everything would be welcome. One relies on feedback to improve this site. No contribution is an unnecessary contribution.</span><span style="font-size: 78%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
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And please make a nuisance of yourself in Whitehall and Westminster.</span> <span style="font-size: 78%;">Constant dripping wears away stone. Do not underestimate the value of the constant drip!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Please</span> disseminate information about this site,<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"> inform your friends and media outlets, and</span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">keep watching</span>!</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 130%;">If you do not stand up for yourself, others will surely keep you down!</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://lefourquet.net/Blogvisits.gif">*To view a map of the geographical distribution of the last 50 or so visitors, <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Remember - Please tell others about this blog - and please write to the politicians - you must do this if anything ever is to change. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-71177662152997868322018-04-16T17:38:00.000+02:002018-04-17T09:54:58.989+02:00An important message from The British in Europe<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Free movement, British citizens and Brexit</u></span></div>
Continuing free movement for British people living in the EU27 is one of the outstanding issues in the negotiations on citizens’ rights.<br />
Over the next six months British in Europe will be upping the ante in our campaign to retain free movement rights, and we’ll need your help.<br />
This short briefing paper outlines what free movement is, what the issues are, and what is likely to happen if we lose our free movement rights after 31 December 2020.<br />
What is free movement?<br />
Put simply, free movement is your right - as an EU citizen - to move around freely and reside in any EU member state. This means that your residence in your host EU country comes under EU law and not under local immigration policies, and you have the right to<br />
move to another EU country to live;<br />
work as an employee or self-employed;<br />
run a business; and also<br />
provide services cross-border and to mutual recognition of your professional qualifications.<br />
Free movement of people is one of the 'four freedoms' guaranteed by membership of the EU. The other three are freedom of goods, freedom of capital and freedom of services.<br />
The ability to move and reside freely is a right. But it is regulated and there are conditions that must be fulfilled, even as an EU citizen. These are implemented to a greater or lesser degree across the different EU countries, but the same regulations apply throughout the EU.<br />
Exercising free movement rights<br />
Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the Directive that stems from it give you the right, subject to certain conditions, to go to another EU country to do one or more of these four things:<br />
to work;<br />
to enter into self-employment or self-establishment (run a company);<br />
to live self-sufficiently (living on your own resources, whether retired or other); and<br />
to study.<br />
All EU citizens have the right of free movement, but only those who have actually used the right are deemed to be exercising it. EU law (and the draft withdrawal agreement) differentiates between<br />
those who have exercised their right to free movement and those who haven’t. You’ll hear this referred to as ‘exercising free movement rights’ or ‘exercising treaty rights’ (they’re the same thing).<br />
This is important, as only people who are exercising free movement rights at the 'effective date' of the withdrawal agreement (31 December 2020) will be covered by the agreement.<br />
For example, if you are a UK citizen living in another EU country under one of the circumstances above, provided you meet the conditions you are exercising free movement rights and therefore are making use of EU law.<br />
If you haven't moved to another EU country, though, you will not usually be exercising your treaty rights and therefore cannot usually make use of EU law.<br />
You are not deemed to be exercising free movement rights simply by<br />
going on holiday to another EU country, or<br />
travelling in an EU country for short stays of less than 90 days, or<br />
spending periods of less than 90 days at a time in a second home in an EU country.<br />
If you have a house in an EU country but have not established residence there before 31 December 2020, you will not be covered by the withdrawal agreement as you are not exercising free movement rights. If you subsequently decide to move permanently, you would do so as a Third Country National, which is a more complex and demanding process with stricter conditions.<br />
The rest of this briefing relates to those UK citizens who are resident in the EU and are already exercising free movement rights or who will be doing so before 31 December 2020.<br />
Freedom of movement after Brexit<br />
The draft Withdrawal Agreement does NOT include the continued right of British citizens living in the EU to freedom of movement: instead, our protected rights are only valid in the state in which we’re resident on 31 December 2020.<br />
If nothing changes, what this means is that from 1 January 2021, even though we’re part of the group protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, we would lose our right to move freely to another EU country to live or work or to provide cross-border services outside our county of residence. We would also lose the right to have our professional or academic qualifications recognised across the EU27. For many people there could be significant repercussions:<br />
If your work currently takes you to another, or various other, EU countries and you don’t fall into the narrow definition of a ‘frontier worker’, your life would change dramatically and in a worst case scenario you could lose your livelihood.<br />
If you currently provide cross-border services – for example, as a translator or a tour guide – you would no longer be able to do so.<br />
If you want to apply for a job in another EU country in future you could find yourself facing new hurdles.<br />
If you simply want to move on to another EU country to experience life there, or benefit from a warmer climate for health reasons, or move closer to family or friends, you could find yourself barred by stricter and more difficult residence rules and income requirements.<br />
Does this mean that we’ll be ‘landlocked’ – confined to the country we’re living in at Brexit?<br />
Yes … and no. it’s complicated.<br />
When the UK leaves the EU, we would become third country nationals (TCNs) – this is the legal term for citizens of non-EU countries. There is a bundle of EU law covering third country nationals, who have some rights of residence in and movement across the EU27, although these are limited compared to those we currently enjoy as EU citizens (see below). It has been suggested by the EU that where the Withdrawal Agreement doesn’t provide for certain rights (for example, free movement), we can simply fall back on the EU law that covers third country nationals.<br />
Free movement and third country nationals<br />
The first point to make is that only third country nationals who have been resident in their host state for 5 years or more and hold a Long Term Residence Permit have free movement rights.<br />
The Long Term Residence Permit is the equivalent of the Permanent Residence card for EU citizens, although the rights it confers are more restricted than those held by EU citizens with permanent residence. These rights are conferred by the EU Long Term Residence Directive. This is the route your Australian or other non-EU friends have to take to establish long term residence in the EU.<br />
Our rights, as British citizens in the protected group and in the countries we’re living in on 31 December 2020, will be conferred by the Withdrawal Agreement, not by the Long Term Residence Directive. But if you want to move to another EU country after 31 December 2020, unless our current free movement rights continue it’s likely that you would have to follow the same route as your Australian friends.<br />
A bit of info about long term residence rights for third country nationals<br />
Long term residence rights are not automatic – they have to be applied for, and to apply you must show that you have ‘stable and regular resources’ that are sufficient to provide for yourself and your family without recourse to public funds. These income criteria are often higher than those in the same state for EU citizens.<br />
You also need to demonstrate that you have health insurance ‘in respect of all risks normally covered for nationals of the state of residence’.<br />
EU states are allowed to apply national legislation in parallel to the EU law on third country nationals, which can mean significant differences between countries (for example, in the<br />
income criteria for ‘stable and regular resources’, which vary widely across the EU). Most states also apply national integration conditions, for example language ability at a certain level. And unlike permanent residence for EU citizens, long term residence rights are lost after an absence of 12 months.<br />
What free movement rights do third country nationals have?<br />
Third country nationals with a Long Term Residence Permit have the right to reside in another EU country for the purpose of<br />
economic activity as an employed or self-employed person;<br />
study or vocational training; or<br />
other purposes (for example, retirement).<br />
If we lost our current right to continuing free movement, it’s likely that we would be treated as third country nationals for the purposes of moving on to another EU country. Once again this is complicated though, as we’d be in something of a hybrid situation: unlike other third country nationals our rights would not be conferred by the Long Term Residence Directive but by the Withdrawal Agreement.<br />
But assuming it to be the case, if you wanted to move to another EU country after 31 December 2020, you would need, in your new host country, to provide evidence of stable and regular resources and health insurance, and you’d be subject to your new country’s integration conditions.<br />
If you were moving to work, you would almost certainly need authorisation from your new state of residence, which is entitled also to apply its own labour market policy (for example, applying quotas for certain jobs). And you’d be excluded from providing cross-border services.<br />
As you can see, although you’d have some free movement rights, those rights would be much more limited than those we currently have - and for many would restrict or curtail their ability to move to or work in another state. And those with less than 5 years residence in their current host countries would have no free movement rights at all.<br />
Travelling as a third country national after Brexit<br />
If your main interest is in travelling to other Schengen countries for short periods rather than moving to another country, you would still be able to do this as a third country national living in the EU after Brexit even if we as UK citizens lose our current rights to free movement. But once again, there are restrictions.<br />
As a third country national, you can spend 90 days elsewhere in the Schengen area in any 180 day period. The 180 day countdown begins on the day you arrive in another Schengen country.<br />
For example, if you live in France and have a second home in Spain, you could spend January to March in Spain, but would then have to return to France for the period April to June. You could then<br />
go back to Spain for the period July to September before returning to France again from October to December. But … you wouldn’t be able to spend any time in any other Schengen country during that year – not even a quick weekend on a cheap Ryanair flight - as you’d have used up your whole allowance.<br />
Your current rights as an EU citizen allow you, for example, to spend 3 months in Spain, then 3 months in Portugal, then 3 months in Italy, then 3 months in Germany … and so on, all without returning to your country of residence.<br />
But as a third country national without our present free movement rights, long-term travel like this would no longer be possible. You’d also need to keep a careful record of your travel dates in case you were stopped on a regular police or customs control.<br />
So what does all this mean?<br />
If you are happily settled in your current host country, don’t work or provide services in other EU countries, don’t intend or harbour any desire to move elsewhere in the EU in your lifetime, don’t have or would like to have a second home elsewhere in the Schengen area, don’t plan to travel for anything much more than an occasional two or three week holiday …<br />
… you may be one of the people for whom continuing free movement rights are not important.<br />
But for many people, life without our current right to free movement would be infinitely poorer. And for some, it could be catastrophic.<br />
British in Europe has argued, and continues to argue, that the EU is wrong in denying us our free movement rights, for two reasons. Firstly, because we consider that as a matter of law, these are existing EU rights; and secondly, because of their practical importance to us as UK citizens whose rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement.<br />
We intend to continue a robust campaign over the next six months, because “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”. If you value your free movement rights then please help us to do that. Your group will give you all the information you need to get involved; if you’re not in a group, then follow the British in Europe website for updates.<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"> https://britishineurope.org/</span><br />
<br />
(week of July 17 2017)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-67539667454193461802018-02-25T10:13:00.001+01:002018-02-25T10:13:19.477+01:00Votes for Britons Living Abroad<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
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<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">OVERSEAS VOTING (Electors) BILL </span></u><span style="font-family: "Times",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> At long (very
long) last Harry Shindler's quest approaches its goal. Harry at 96 has
for so long been fighting for British Citizens abroad to be recognised by the
Westminster Government. That is to have their Right to a VOTE. Some
years ago he brought a plea before the European Human Rights Court (nothing to
do with the EU Court of Justice) and was refused. We should also
recall that James Preston, a businessman who was living in Madrid in 2012 took
a similar case to the Supreme Court in London and there it was also refused.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">NOW- On Friday
23rd February The Overseas Electors Bill passed the 2nd reading in
the House of Commons. you can read the text from Hansard as under. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2018-02-23/debates/9F6393F6-339C-4813-8C24-BDC41623DF10/OverseasElectorsBill"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2018-02-23/debates/9F6393F6-339C-4813-8C24-BDC41623DF10/OverseasElectorsBill</span></a><u><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Some members almost
filibustered the motion out. One of these was Sandy Martin MP (Labour)
for Ipswich. He spoke at length about the Frozen Pension situation, where
Citizens who have retired to Australia and South Africa and elsewhere (but not
the USA or Jamaica) have their State pension frozen. That wrong should most
certainly be righted but Mr Martin's speech wandered considerably from the
point of the debate which concerns the VOTE, and that alone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">However Mr. Martin
spoke at length why Britons abroad should NOT have the vote. He was vehemently
opposed to the idea.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Layla Moran (Liberal
Democrat) spoke well for the Bill. She observed that all British Citizens
abroad are ambassadors (for good or bad) for Britain</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mike Gapes (Labour)
spoke volubly in support of the Bill. He is the representative of Labour International
in Parliament and represents all those Labour voters abroad who are proudly
British.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sir Roger Gale
(Conservative) spoke with passion about Harry Shindler in support of the Bill.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The end of the
debate was remarkable. The Shadow Deputy Leader of the Labour Party in
the Commons (Cat Smith), spoke from the Labour front bench. Though she made a
veiled support for the principles of the Bill, she then embarked on what
a fellow Labour member (Paul Flynn) called a ‘filibuster’ which would
have talked the Bill out of time. Cat Smith was speaking as for the
Labour Party. But she must have known that by going on so long, the Bill
was likely to fail. If it had failed it would have been the Labour Party which
kicked it out of touch.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Geoffrey
Clifton Brown (Cons) intervened. He requested a motion
of closure - But no division took place because the ‘nays’ did not put
forward any tellers (those who tally the votes).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The ‘Ayes’ had it,
as they say , hands down - more truthfully 'hands up', with shouts of Aye
ringing to the rafters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We await the debate
in the forthcoming ‘Committee Stage’ in a month or two. Be prepared to
support it, and to lobby the MPs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Harry Shindler was
delighted! He tells me that if the Bill eventually fails because of the tactics
of the Labour Party he will resign his life time membership. He is
the oldest member of the Labour Party. Various members praised Harry for his
steadfast campaigning on this matter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The details of the
Bill in its current form can be read here</span></div>
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<a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2017-2019/0016/18016.pdf"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2017-2019/0016/18016.pdf</span></a><u><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-18378359281314841562018-01-31T17:48:00.001+01:002018-01-31T18:34:23.060+01:00VOTES FOR LIFE for British Citizens abroad<!--[if !mso]>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
call to action.</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many Britons who live
abroad feel abandoned by their National Government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who live in the Far East or Africa<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have long suffered<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>diminution of their income because the Government refuses to increase
their State pension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Referendum</b> has brought a feeling of
this abandonment to Europe, especially to those who have no vote because they
moved to Europe more than fifteen years ago. On February 23<sup>rd</sup> some
progress might be started to put this abandonment of the British Citizen by the
British Government into history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But you, the reader of
this page must take action. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Note
that the address of the House of Commons is London SW1A 0AA. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Information
of all MPs is located <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk504899120">at </a></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk504899120;"></span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk504899120;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk504899120;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Will you write preferably
by letter post to one or more MPs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Especially to Labour MPs?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let us see why.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If
you had the vote….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have resided
outside the United Kingdom for more than 15 years you won’t have the Vote… but
if you had the vote the MPs would be interested in YOU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>few MPs are interested. You must make your
voice heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It benefits no-one to say ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why should I vote? I don’t live in Britain</i>.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been writing and blogging for years on
this and suddenly Brexit arrives. Perhaps you approve of Brexit, perhaps
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps you approve of the State
pension being frozen to ordinary elderly retirees in Australia. Whatever. What
happens in Westminster most certainly affects you as a British Citizen. Yes it
does. You should have a voice. A Vote for Life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most Governments in Europe and leading nations in the World recognise
their citizens. Britain ignores many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
includes many of those who are well equipped to be unofficial ambassadors for
our once great nation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two people are
significant players in the action on February 23<sup>rd</sup>, Glyn Davies MP and
Harry Shindler M.B.E. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N2Jpm-xhYF9HbYxUqxQ1__IxWVupsR7KA8L8xzkbfMo2b9-4CymGaa97xWALERvIPWpLKoFHJiN9rNZFdDyQ4wxFRnpwC8ZapZkA1Rft0HP0Tg6oSF24jLSVOXuDW8cbGcNHBYIN-Uw3/s1600/Glyn+Davies+%25282%2529+MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N2Jpm-xhYF9HbYxUqxQ1__IxWVupsR7KA8L8xzkbfMo2b9-4CymGaa97xWALERvIPWpLKoFHJiN9rNZFdDyQ4wxFRnpwC8ZapZkA1Rft0HP0Tg6oSF24jLSVOXuDW8cbGcNHBYIN-Uw3/s1600/Glyn+Davies+%25282%2529+MP.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Glyn
Davies (left) is a Welsh Farmer in Mongomeryshire. He is opening a debate of
Votes for Overseas Citizens on February 23<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a winning personality – He needs your
support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not directly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The second person in this
story in Harry Shindler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a great
respect for Harry. He is 96 years old and indefatigable. He puts many of us to
shame. I and many of us have done so little for our fellow citizens, but Harry
has fought for us in war; led the campaign for the Vote and the recognition of
British Citizens by our National Government.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsIKe13MbdHUJKjuF3dPofNks5QIY7est_lpcsf-5ugBrK5eEIyTxL3VDyk0hwM0TF4l2w5dCDhMbiJuxHLQFRhBdzS3mh0Co3Yj1nG33uisTJv1_Si_SR0859iofjsoV0Q-1CRSmprfX/s1600/Harry+Shindler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsIKe13MbdHUJKjuF3dPofNks5QIY7est_lpcsf-5ugBrK5eEIyTxL3VDyk0hwM0TF4l2w5dCDhMbiJuxHLQFRhBdzS3mh0Co3Yj1nG33uisTJv1_Si_SR0859iofjsoV0Q-1CRSmprfX/s1600/Harry+Shindler.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last week of January he was phoned at
his home in Italy from Westminster. ‘Can you come to meet some MPs in
Westminster?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At his own expense he
went. He met various MPs, Labour of course, of which he is a life time supporter,
but the invitation was from the Conservative side, many of whom also greatly
respect Harry. Harry was there to promote the cause of ‘Votes for Life’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He met Glyn Davies, he who is our present MP
fighter for our Rights, and Chloe Smith M.P., who has responsibility for ‘Votes
for Life’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The situation is that
Glyn Davies’ motion is a ‘private members’ motion which always take place on a
Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MPs generally skip these because
they want to get home to their constituencies, and usually such debates have
little importance. But the London Labour MPs have no excuse to scarper to the
suburbs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Glyn’s debate is most
important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the House of Commons shows
that it is important by attending in considerable numbers then it is most
likely that the Government will take over the Bill and push it through to
victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we will ALL HAVE the
Vote!.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But much depends on
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Write to an MP beseeching
them to attend the debate on February 23<sup>rd</sup> on THE OVERSEAS ELECTORS
BILL.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You think you have no MP?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes in theory you do, even if you haven’t got
a Vote and he/she does not communicate. You can find his/her name from knowing
where you last lived.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Even if you don’t know,
then writing to ‘The MP for *****, House of Commons London, SW1A 0AA, England
will get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although an email is
something, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a postal letter</b> is far
more likely to be effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Write like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a resident in your constituency of
*******. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday February 23<sup>rd</sup> Glyn Davies
MP will open a private members debate on Overseas Electors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, if you possibly can, attend this
debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might well be a milestone in
British Governmental history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The course
of Electoral law might well change if this Bill succeeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yours sincerely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you are writing to
some other MP, not in any manner as a constituent, then omit the first
sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Labour MPs need mostly to
be encouraged. And, naturally if you prefer, write more personally</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Harry Shindler needs your
support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Brian Cave </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #538135; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-23709554262162580402018-01-25T10:14:00.000+01:002018-01-25T10:16:27.803+01:00Xenophobia in England after Brexit.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<br />
<h2 class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><u>Xenophobia in England </u></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Article
translated from the original French- as First Published in Huffington Post January 2018</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Written by a
French Woman returning to France after Brexit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">The removal van doors were closed. One last time we slammed the door of this house which was to be our
for ever home, our home for life. It had been chosen after long research, it
was enlarged, redecorated entirely. We loved it, it was the first time in our
nomadic life that we felt at home, laid down, without the desire to go
elsewhere. In fact, we felt at home in England, more than anywhere else. And
then the Brexit has arrived.<br />
<br />
As I have already said, the brexit was not a vote against Europe, but against
the Europeans, it opened the floodgates to a xenophobia of all times that we
took as a slap. 10-year-old friends who turn their backs on us, the hate
speeches of the government populists, the administrative vexations, the insults
of strangers in the street, and the systematic abuse of our rights, our
dehumanization by a prime minister who treats us of bargaining chip, of
currency of exchange and no longer of human beings. It hurts. The darker future
of our children, because their parents had the audacity to be born elsewhere,
the closing doors, the flaming racism, the ostracism, the government's
insidious apartheid policy, the country which sinks, the crunching nerves, the
anguish that settles down to panic attacks at the thought of simply passing the
door from home. And nothing. Not a hand stretched, not a single person who
stands up to say that it can not last like that. Finally, if we Europeans who
still fight to defend our rights certainly, but also a certain idea of
England. An idea that day after day, discrimination after discrimination
disappears, in the total indifference of the population.<br />
<br />
My England was beautiful, funny, welcoming, open, cosmopolitan, tolerant,
thoughtful, pragmatic, fair, generous, polite, irreverent, eccentric ... I
trusted her completely. Not for a moment could I have imagined that she would
sink so low and so fast. My wonderful country has turned into an infamous
movement where the one who shouts the strongest wins, a country where bullies
rule, xenophobic stalkers. Common sense has disappeared in favor of the worst
ideologies, hatred has replaced hospitality, cowardice has taken the place of
irony. My dream England may never have finally existed. No more than those
friendships that evaporated overnight. No more than that English spirit that I
found so free and which was only an illusion. The decor has fallen and it is
not nice to see. Racism, obscurantism, moldy colonialism, cowardice, utter
contempt for others, ignorance, a feeling of superiority on the whole earth,
stupid stupidity ... and yet, it hurts again. Not easy to mourn my lost English
illusions. So we leave, for our children, their future, to flee brexitland,
because there is nothing for us in this country that pushes us out.<br />
<br />
The movers will be tomorrow in front of our new house in France. Before leaving
our old English home, they could not retain a last unpleasant reflection, a
joke more than limit on the French. They did a lot yesterday thinking that we
do not hear them, or maybe we do not understand them, even if we speak to them
in English ... given the level of intelligence of these people, it is possible.
I become as mean as they are, it's time to leave. Thank you dear assholes with
your thoughts to help me not cry. Thank you for reminding me why we are
leaving. Without hesitation.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-61115820101735258432017-07-03T19:44:00.001+02:002017-07-03T19:44:31.462+02:00British in Europe coalition Call to Politicians July 2017<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Coalition of British Citizens in Europe (representing over 25,000 members) have produced this document so that our real concerns are understood.</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>British in Europe and the £
million EU citiozens in the UK.</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Safeguarding the Position of EU Citizens
Living in the UK and UK Nationals</b><br />
<b>Living in the EU: a Joint Response to the UK’s Proposal</b><br />
1<br />
Safeguarding the Position of EU Citizens Living in the UK and UK Nationals<br />
Living in the EU: a Joint Response to the UK’s Proposal<br />
Executive Summary<br />
This paper sets out the position taken by the British in Europe Coalition and<br />
the3million in response to the UK proposal on citizens’ rights. Briefly:<br />
• The UK proposal does not respond to the comprehensive offer made by the EU<br />
on 23 May to guarantee the vast majority of our rights, but instead represents
an<br />
entirely different form of offer founded in UK law.<br />
• Given this, when comparing the two proposals, it is not possible to compare
like<br />
with like and thus the application of the principle of reciprocity is
complicated.<br />
• The proposal lacks detail on safeguarding the rights of UK citizens in the
EU.<br />
The EU offer set out in the EU negotiating directives, on the other hand, would<br />
guarantee the vast majority of the rights that UK citizens in the EU currently
have<br />
and this should be the starting point for the UK government in its negotiations<br />
with the EU to protect the rights of UK citizens in the EU, subject to certain<br />
clarifications.<br />
• The offer set out in the UK proposal for EU citizens in the UK represents the<br />
substitution of acquired rights of EU citizenship under EU law, with a lesser
status<br />
of “settled status”, for which EU citizens would be required to apply.<br />
• In particular, EU citizens would no longer benefit from the same family<br />
reunification rights, or the overarching principle of equal treatment.<br />
• In addition, the position on other rights such as pensions, healthcare,
rights to<br />
work, rights of establishment and mutual recognition of qualifications as
regards<br />
both groups require clarification.<br />
• Any definitive agreement on citizens’ rights needs to be ring-fenced from the<br />
rest of the Article 50 negotiations if our current anxiety and uncertainty are
to be<br />
brought to an end, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.<br />
Introduction<br />
On 26 June the UK unveiled its proposal on safeguarding the position of EU
citizens<br />
living in the UK and UK Nationals living in the EU and this proposal was
presented<br />
to Parliament.1 We note and appreciate some of the core principles set out in
the<br />
summary proposals, in particular in paragraph 3 that:<br />
“EU citizens who came to the UK before the EU Referendum and before the formal<br />
Article 50 process for exiting the EU was triggered came on the basis that they<br />
would be able to settle permanently, if they were able to build a life here. We<br />
recognise the need to honour that expectation. The choice made in the<br />
Referendum was about our arrangements going forward, not about unravelling<br />
previous commitments.”<br />
It is therefore surprising that, instead of taking the framework that exists
under EU<br />
law as regards the rights of EU citizens in the UK and proposing to incorporate
it into UK law as part of the Great Repeal Bill, the UK proposal in fact sets out
to do<br />
just that – to unravel previous commitments and replace them with a UK law
based<br />
immigration status.<br />
In contrast, the statement made in paragraph 4 as regards around 1.2 million UK<br />
citizens who moved to other countries in the EU is far less reassuring:<br />
“Over one million UK nationals have moved to other countries in the EU, and
many<br />
have built their lives there. Their ability to stay, and for life to continue
much as it<br />
does now, depends on the agreement that is reached between the UK and the EU”<br />
The standard appears to be lower than that to be applied to EU citizens, and,<br />
despite the confirmation that their position depends on the agreement reached<br />
between the UK and EU, there is very little discussion of how the position of
UK<br />
citizens in the EU is to be achieved in the Proposal.<br />
Analysis<br />
General points<br />
We have the following overarching general remarks as regards the proposal:<br />
• UK law solution versus EU law proposal. The EU proposal made in the EU’s<br />
negotiating directives of 22 May2 (the “EU negotiating directives”) and the<br />
Essential Principles on Citizens’ Rights3 (the “Essential Principles”) set out
a<br />
comprehensive proposal to guarantee almost all the rights that UK citizens in
the<br />
EU and EU citizens in the UK currently have through their EU citizenship. The<br />
proposal is founded in the current framework under EU law and sets out what<br />
could be likened to a heads of agreement from which the provisions of the<br />
Article 50 withdrawal agreement would then be prepared.<br />
The UK proposal does not respond to that offer, but instead represents an<br />
entirely different form of offer. Apart from some broad principles as regards
the<br />
position of UK citizens at the outset, it is a proposal rooted in UK law,
dealing<br />
with the future immigration status of EU citizens in the UK.<br />
As such, the two proposals do not correspond, as rooted in different legal<br />
systems and as even the framework of rights covered is different.<br />
Since the UK did not respond to the EU offer but in effect made a counter offer<br />
that does not correspond to the framework of the EU offer, it is very difficult
to<br />
understand how the UK envisages the application of the principle of reciprocity<br />
in this case.<br />
• Lack of detailed proposals as regards the rights of UK citizens in the EU.<br />
The most noticeable omission in this proposal is that as regards how the UK
will<br />
seek to protect the rights of UK citizens in the EU. Moreover, on contrast to
the<br />
EU negotiating directives, UK citizens who lived and worked in the EU in the
past<br />
are not mentioned. The detail of the proposal focuses on the immigration status<br />
post-Brexit of EU citizens in the UK and sets out only broad lines as regards
the<br />
rights of UK citizens in the EU. There is thus no clear explanation in the
proposal<br />
of what the UK is seeking to negotiate to protect the rights of UK citizens in
the<br />
EU and, given the mismatch between an EU law proposal to guarantee almost all<br />
the rights of both groups and a UK proposal primarily addressing the<br />
immigration status post-Brexit of EU citizens in the UK, simply referring to<br />
reciprocity does not remedy this omission.<br />
We consider that the UK should be accepting the offer made to UK citizens in<br />
the EU’s negotiating directives subject to the clarification of the position on<br />
rights of establishment (as regards setting up and managing undertakings) as<br />
well as similar issues relating to students set out below under point 8
Students,<br />
and subject to the agreement on citizens’ rights being ring-fenced from all
other<br />
aspects of the Article 50 negotiations. The UK should then guarantee all of the<br />
same rights to EU citizens in the UK as set out in the EU proposal and offered
to<br />
UK citizens in the EU.<br />
• Ring fencing. Any definitive agreement on citizens’ rights needs to be
ringfenced<br />
from the rest of the Article 50 negotiations if our current anxiety and<br />
uncertainty are to be brought to an end, regardless of the outcome of the<br />
negotiations. Objections that this is legally impossible are without foundation<br />
and the parties should take that into account as they commence the<br />
negotiations.<br />
Ultimately, the purpose of ring-fencing is that if the parties are able to
reach an<br />
early agreement on citizens’ rights during the Article 50 negotiations, this
will be<br />
based on the consensus that such agreement is final, it is not to be re-opened<br />
no matter what happens in the remainder of the negotiation, and that, most<br />
significantly, it will come into force even if other aspects of the
negotiations fail.<br />
The EU could ensure this by requiring the signature of a citizens’ rights<br />
agreement as a precondition of entering the next stage of the withdrawal<br />
negotiation under Article 50, before discussion of the principles for future<br />
relations between the EU and the UK.<br />
• Cut-off date. At the moment, a date between 29 March 2017, the date on<br />
which Article 50 was triggered, and the date the UK is due to leave the EU, is<br />
being discussed. However, EU law applies in full in the UK until Brexit date
and<br />
thus any date earlier than that would be difficult for the UK government to
justify<br />
legally.<br />
• Jurisdiction of the CJEU. The UK proposal states that the CJEU will not have<br />
jurisdiction in the UK. In practice, even if the CJEU were to be accepted, this<br />
would simply mean that, as regards EU citizens’ rights in the UK, the UK courts<br />
would make decisions but would have the option of making a reference the<br />
CJEU as they do now. Given the cumulated experience and case law of the<br />
CJEU on the matters covered by the rights of both groups, the CJEU would<br />
clearly represent the easiest and most practical option. If political
constraints on<br />
the UK government ultimately prevent this happening, there will, however,<br />
clearly need to be some form of dispute resolution body with jurisdiction as<br />
regards the enforcement of citizens’ rights going forward, and a way for<br />
ADD HEADERS<br />
4<br />
individuals to enforce their rights as regards the final guarantee set out in
the<br />
Article 50 withdrawal agreement. This should be for negotiation. In this
regard,<br />
we support the proposals laid out on governance transmitted to the EU27 on 28<br />
June.<br />
• Confirmation of the UK proposal in the Article 50 withdrawal agreement.<br />
The UK government has stated in the proposal that it is “ready to make<br />
commitments in the Withdrawal Agreement which will have the status of<br />
international law”. This is to be welcomed and goes some way to providing<br />
assurance that the status of EU citizens already in the UK will remain
unchanged<br />
in the future. However, that presupposes a high level of detail set out in the<br />
Withdrawal Agreement as to the arrangements in relation to that status of EU<br />
citizens, which would then simply be copied and implemented in to national law.<br />
Those rights set out in the Withdrawal Agreement must be implemented in<br />
national law, and be justiciable as individual, directly effective rights in
national<br />
courts.<br />
• Protection of rights for life. In contrast to the EU proposal in the
negotiating<br />
directives, the UK proposal does not appear to offer that the rights set out<br />
therein will be for life.<br />
• Ability of UK nationals to move from Member State to Member State: The<br />
EU offer appears to continue to provide UK nationals in the EU27 with the<br />
option of moving from Member State to Member State after Brexit to live/work<br />
and/or change status so as to avoid UK nationals from being “locked into one<br />
country” at the date of withdrawal. The UK offer does not address this point<br />
because it seeks to end free movement and because EU nationals will continue<br />
to benefit from free movement in the EU27. Thousands of UK nationals will,<br />
however, find their ability to make a living and live with their families
threatened<br />
unless this right is continued in the withdrawal agreement.<br />
• EEA/EFTA States. Citizens of these countries resident in the UK are not<br />
covered, and nor are UK citizens living in those countries – they are simply
left<br />
for “discussion” in paragraph 11.<br />
Specific points<br />
1. Equal Treatment.<br />
At no point in the document, is there any mention of an overarching right of
equal<br />
treatment for EU citizens in the UK vis-à-vis British citizens in the UK.
Currently, EU<br />
citizens in the UK do have a right to equal treatment and the application of
this<br />
principle to EU citizens in an EU country other than their own is a fundamental<br />
aspect of the current EU citizenship rights that EU citizens enjoy across the
EU to<br />
ensure that EU citizens are not discriminated against in comparison to
nationals of<br />
the country in which they reside. The proposal does state that “these rights
will<br />
apply to all EU citizens equally” but even that statement must be without
prejudice<br />
to the principle set out on page 3 of the proposal as regards arrangements
between<br />
the UK and Ireland. This is a significant change to the rights of EU citizens.<br />
2. Family reunification: bringing spouses/dependents after Brexit.<br />
The proposal as it stands would mean a reduction of the rights of EU citizens
in the<br />
UK to bring spouses and dependent family members, including elderly parents,
into<br />
the UK. This is because there are two alternative possibilities. Either the
same rules<br />
as apply currently for non-EU nationals would apply in future. This includes
income<br />
thresholds, as regards the ability to bring in a spouse as a British citizen,
and the<br />
very restrictive criteria of the adult dependent relative scheme (with which it
is<br />
virtually impossible to comply), which would apply in the case of elderly
parents.<br />
Alternatively, the proposal states, the specific post-Brexit immigration
arrangement<br />
for EU citizens who arrive after the cut-off date would apply – and it is
noteworthy<br />
that no details of what this might be are provided. It is not clear whether,
but very<br />
likely that the same rules would apply to British citizens returning from the
EU post-<br />
Brexit e.g. with EU spouses, who would then be faced with no choice but to
remain<br />
permanently in an EU country and not return to the UK, for example, to take
care of<br />
elderly parents in the UK.<br />
In any event, since the UK has some of the most stringent rules globally as
regards<br />
family reunification, this constitutes a severe reduction of the current rights
of EU<br />
citizens in the UK (and potentially of UK citizens in the EU as well).<br />
There will of course be many more detailed questions to consider, e.g. the
position<br />
of an EU citizen whose non-EU spouse joins him/her in the UK in the event that
they<br />
separate/divorce within less than five years, and how this would impact
children of<br />
such a couple.<br />
Children and future children would not seem to be subject to similar
restrictions,<br />
whether or not they were born or arrived in the UK before or after the final
cut-off<br />
date applied to the arrangements.<br />
3. “Settled status”<br />
The permanent residence rights of EU citizens in the UK under EU law would be<br />
exchanged for the new UK immigration status under the Byzantine UK immigration<br />
rules of 'settled status', akin to indefinite leave to remain in the UK. This
offers<br />
a significantly reduced level of protection than their current status as EU
citizens in<br />
the UK under EU law. And the acquired rights in question are rooted in<br />
EU/international law and as such should be protected in international law.<br />
Moreover, EU citizens will be required to apply for UK settled status, whereas
they<br />
are in fact resident in the UK on the basis of existing, acquired rights under
EU law.<br />
The UK should in fact be simply confirming rights that have already been
acquired,<br />
which is the approach taken in the EU negotiating directives.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Moreover English common law, not to mention the
Human Rights Act, has always<br />
opposed retrospective legislation. The Directive, which confers rights of
residence<br />
forms part of UK law at present. Art. 16.4 of Directive 2004/38/EC provides,
“Once<br />
acquired, the right of permanent residence shall be lost only through absence
from<br />
the host Member State for a period exceeding two consecutive years.” The UK is<br />
proposing a substantive unilateral amendment to that provision, which will
operate<br />
with retrospective effect because it changes for all time the terms upon which
all<br />
those EU citizens have come to live in the UK. That is not only unacceptable
but<br />
also illegal.<br />
As regards the practicalities, those EU citizens in the UK who have already
acquired<br />
rights of permanent residence (PR) will be obliged to make a new application
for<br />
settled status, despite having already spent a great deal of time and money<br />
applying for their permanent residence status. Settled status gives a lower
level of<br />
protection and yet those who have already acquired permanent residence status<br />
would not simply acquire settled status automatically. Frankly this is perhaps
the<br />
point at which the UK position is the opposite of “generous” - to force people
who<br />
have already battled with the much-criticised UK application process for
permanent<br />
residence to go through a whole new process to secure their right to remain
post<br />
Brexit.<br />
Those who can prove five years’ continuous residence would be required to apply<br />
for UK settled status. However, there is no definition of what “continuous<br />
residence” means in this context or whether periods of residence could be<br />
aggregated. Moreover, details of what the proof of continuous residence should<br />
consist of have not been provided and would need to be spelt out in detail.<br />
Similarly, an assessment of conduct and criminality will be required but
details of<br />
what this would consist of have also not been provided. This would need to be<br />
spelt out clearly: would it simply be matters such as suspicions as regards for<br />
example terrorism, which fall short of crimes, or would the scope be wider? The<br />
proposal to exclude EU nationals who are “persistent criminals” as opposed to<br />
those convicted of serious offences carrying a sentence of imprisonment of more<br />
than 12 months would also suggest a departure from EU norms. It may conflict
with<br />
Prime Minister May’s stated intention that families will not be separated.<br />
Moreover, the need for the provision of biometric information to protect
against<br />
fraud is highly questionable, unnecessary, and this is not standard in other
European<br />
countries.<br />
The ‘conduct’ and ‘proof of residence’ requirements are particularly alarming
in light<br />
of the fact that more and more local authorities are using legislation such as
the<br />
1824 Vagrancy Act to criminalize homelessness in England and Wales, and the UK<br />
Government published updated guidance on the administrative removal of<br />
homeless EEA citizens in 2016 (European Economic Area: administrative removal<br />
guidance) thus enabling the UK to deport homeless EU nationals even if they
were<br />
otherwise exercising treaty rights as jobseekers or workers, or if they had
arrived less<br />
than 3 months previously4.<br />
It is also not clear whether there may be other conditions imposed, such as a
‘Life in<br />
the UK’ and English language test, NHS surcharge and visa fees.<br />
There is also an anomaly, in that each family member would have to apply<br />
separately for UK settled status. It thus appears that the child of parents<br />
with UK settled status would not acquire UK settled status in its own right but
would<br />
have to apply for such status separately. This would introduce another burden
(and<br />
stress) on parents and their children.<br />
The proposal states that settled status would generally be lost if a person was<br />
absent from the UK for more than two years “unless they have strong ties here”<br />
(paragraph 20). The two years’ absence condition is in line with current EU law<br />
provisions on permanent residence but – and this is critical – that is a
condition<br />
applied in an entirely different context, that of free movement and the
acquisition of<br />
permanent residence. Post Brexit, a EU citizen who leaves the UK for two years
will<br />
no longer benefit from such rights and will not automatically have the right to
return<br />
to the UK and start to build up rights of permanent residence again but will
have to<br />
apply to return under UK immigration rules. This will, for example, severely
restrict<br />
the ability of mobile EU citizens to take up job postings outside the UK, which
are<br />
generally for a period of at least two years, and this cannot be good for the
UK<br />
economy. The concept of “strong ties” is presumably added to mitigate this but
is<br />
extremely vague.<br />
It is positive that the UK proposal states that there will be no CSI
requirement but<br />
the issue as to whether any minimum income requirement will be set is not<br />
addressed: under these proposed new UK immigration rules, will there be an<br />
income threshold to acquire 'settled status'? The UK proposal does not mention<br />
one, nor does it exclude one (compared to CSI, which it does explicitly
exclude).<br />
The proposal is thus vague as regards potential income thresholds for retirees,
for<br />
those who set up their own businesses and those who are posted around the world<br />
for work. Minimum income thresholds, if introduced, would certainly penalise<br />
people on low wages, people in part-time employment, people on zero hours<br />
contracts and those with disabilities, for example, who work sporadically.<br />
4 Homelessness and criminalisation in the UK<br />
In addition, special exemptions should be applied in the UK where, due to
nonregistration<br />
of citizens, EU citizens have acquired ‘de facto’ rights of living legally in<br />
the UK despite being unable to prove ‘self sufficiency’ (e.g. carers) in some
cases, or<br />
to obtain PR for a variety of reasons. This would also avoid a multitude of
lengthy<br />
tribunal cases, as the current PR refusal rate of over 30% indicates could
result.<br />
In conclusion, we do not consider that EU citizens should be required to seek a
new<br />
UK status of settled status, which is inferior to the current acquired rights
of<br />
permanent residence that EU citizens who have lived in the UK for five years
have.<br />
4. Grace period.<br />
The UK proposal states that there will be no cliff edge and that EU citizens
will have<br />
a grace period within which to regularise their status.<br />
The grace period has yet to be defined, both its length, and its commencement<br />
date, and is thus uncertain.<br />
The period of blanket residence permission proposed would apply to all existing<br />
lawful EU residents and their families, rather than to all EU citizens in the
UK at that<br />
point (paragraph 24). There is no detail in the proposal as regards how this
concept<br />
of “existing lawful EU residents” will be applied, and it could give rise to
many<br />
issues in practice, in respect of work, benefits, housing, banking and all
aspects of<br />
life e.g. the need to prove to employers or potential employers that one is
actually a<br />
lawful EU resident during the grace period. Given that it appears that there
will be<br />
no need to apply for documentation proving that an EU citizen benefits from the<br />
blanket residence permission (see also paragraph 24), how would anyone be able
to<br />
prove their entitlement and will UK employers, landlords etc. not be inclined
to<br />
refuse EU citizens for fear of breaking the law by offering a job or home to an
illegal<br />
immigrant?<br />
Also, on a purely practical note, two years seems to be an optimistic timeframe
in<br />
which to deal with the numbers of people concerned. This is not least since the
UK<br />
proposes to set up a digital streamlined process to deal with the applications<br />
involved, and this system needs to be planned, put out to tender, subject to<br />
procurement procedures, and then implemented, and checked for problems, before<br />
that process can commence. In other words, there could be gaps as regards the<br />
immigration status of EU citizens, and resulting problems in respect of work,<br />
benefits, housing, banking and all aspects of life. Citizens would be left
without<br />
documentation and court cases would result.<br />
Therefore, whilst we welcome the general intention to keep fees reasonable and
to<br />
minimise the burden of documentary evidence, this proposal for a grace period
and<br />
temporary leave status prior to UK settled status is not fit for purpose.<br />
We are also aware of the challenges faced by the Home Office in dealing with<br />
current applications of EU citizens and 3rd country nationals.<br />
We therefore suggest that a simple system of certification of the existing
permanent<br />
residence status under EU law be introduced for all citizens living in the UK
at the<br />
point of exit.<br />
5. Benefits.<br />
As regards benefits, a first general point concerns entitlement to benefits
before EU<br />
citizens have “regularised” their status. This is a question of proof, and no
details as<br />
to how that entitlement could be proved without a document evidencing settled<br />
status or temporary leave to remain are set out in the proposal. We also wish
to<br />
raise the following specific points (although there will be many other points
of<br />
detail):<br />
a. Aggregated Pension system. The aggregation of contributions proposed in the<br />
UK paper seems only to apply to contributions accrued pre-Brexit. This raises<br />
the issue of what happens to post-Brexit contributions for those who are
already<br />
aggregating where there are minimum amounts/periods of contributions in<br />
order to be entitled to any pension or other benefit. There is also no detail
on<br />
how the UK will seek to protect the overarching aggregated pension system<br />
entitlements that exist currently under EU law for both UK citizens in the EU
and<br />
EU citizens in the UK, as this will be subject to negotiation.<br />
b. Pensions uprating. We welcome the confirmation that the UK “intends to<br />
continue to export and uprate the UK State Pension within the EU, subject to<br />
reciprocity”. However, we would welcome clarification on what “subject to<br />
reciprocity” means in this context in concrete terms.<br />
c. Healthcare. The proposal states that the UK “will seek to protect” the
current<br />
healthcare arrangements under EU and UK law for UK nationals in the EU and EU<br />
nationals in the UK “who benefit from these arrangements before the specified<br />
date”. This statement begs a number of questions. In the first case, the<br />
wording is vague “seek to protect” rather than guarantee, and there is no
detail<br />
about what the UK will seek to protect (the entire system, parts of the
system?).<br />
The EU negotiating directives, on the other hand, are very clear about<br />
maintaining the framework of Regulation 883/2004 and the implementing<br />
Regulation, 987/2009. Second, the final phrase “who benefit from these<br />
arrangements before the specified date” could potentially rule out large<br />
numbers of e.g. UK citizens from the application of the deal negotiated on<br />
healthcare, in particular, those who have not yet retired before the cut-off
date,<br />
or those who currently depend on a retired spouse’s S1 card and will only<br />
receive their own on retirement. Third, it is not clear in general how future<br />
healthcare arrangements will impact family members of UK and EU citizens who<br />
do not have access to healthcare in their own right in the country where they
are<br />
resident.<br />
d. EHIC system. One of the aspects of the healthcare system that the UK seeks
to<br />
protect is outside the scope of these Article 50 negotiations, as it relates to
the<br />
future rights of tourists to benefit from the EHIC scheme, who are not UK
citizens<br />
already resident in the EU 27. There is also no justification for detailed<br />
proposals on this aspect, while leaving out the details of what type of
reciprocal<br />
healthcare system is to be protected as regards UK citizens currently resident
in<br />
the EU.<br />
e. Exporting benefits. It is not clear why EU citizens who are already in the
UK or<br />
UK citizens who are already in the EU but not yet exporting benefits should not<br />
have the right to do so in future.<br />
f. Future changes. Future changes to the social security arrangements are not<br />
covered in the UK proposal, while they are in the EU proposal.<br />
g. It is also not clear whether the UK wishes to continue to participate in the<br />
coordinating mechanism for social security benefits or to negotiate 27
bilateral<br />
agreements with the EU27 (see paragraph 43).<br />
6. Work<br />
There is very little detail in the UK proposal dealing with the concerns of
working<br />
people. This includes rights to work, rights of establishment and mutual
recognition<br />
of qualifications.<br />
The latter rights are included briefly in a section entitled “economic and
other<br />
relevant rights”. However, it is important to recognise that the freedom of<br />
establishment and mutual recognition of qualifications we are referring to here
are<br />
rights of the individual citizen, and thus not purely economic rights or rights
of a<br />
company.<br />
Thus it is the individual who is guaranteed the right of establishment by Art.
49<br />
(“nationals of a Member State” in the wording of the Article). Art. 49 creates
both a<br />
prohibition and a right. The prohibition is against Member States adopting<br />
restrictions that discriminate against individuals who are not nationals of
that State in<br />
relation to the setting up and running of undertakings, such as companies. The
right<br />
conferred on these individuals is to run such undertakings on equal terms with<br />
nationals of the host State. It is these EU rights of individuals who have
already<br />
moved cross-Channel that we seek to protect.<br />
Similarly, mutual recognition of qualifications is a right from which
individuals in<br />
these two groups benefit, and this is expressly recognised in the EU
negotiating<br />
directives, which would protect qualifications that citizens have “in
personam”.<br />
It is also unclear how the UK would consider EU citizens who lived and worked
in the<br />
UK in the past, or what they would seek to achieve for UK citizens who lived
and<br />
worked in the EU in the past, or how vested rights would be directly
enforceable.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition, we have the following specific
comments:<br />
a. Mutual recognition of qualifications. The wording is vague and sets out
general<br />
aims without any detail. The aim is to “seek to ensure”, rather than guarantee.<br />
Moreover, the UK “will also give due regard to these professionals’ ability to<br />
practise without unfair detriment or discrimination” rather than guarantee
this,<br />
and, as we noted above, there is no general principle of equal treatment<br />
proposed to provide a general remedy in the case of unfair discrimination.<br />
b. Right of establishment/Self-employment. Issues as regards self-employment
and<br />
rights of establishment generally are to be negotiated and the UK proposal<br />
simply states, without further detail, that the UK will seek to protect them
for<br />
“EU citizens in the UK before the specified date and vice versa”. There is no
real<br />
detail on how the UK government will deal with self-employment for EU citizens<br />
in the UK in terms of their rights or status in the UK e.g. specific rules such
as<br />
regards minimum income, etc. To those people who have moved countries in<br />
order to pursue a career through self-employment, or the medium of<br />
establishing a company or other legal entity, it is essential that they should
be<br />
able to continue to do so. Their right under EU law to follow this course is<br />
guaranteed by Art. 49 TFEU. Many of course will be providing employment to<br />
citizens of their host country through this means. Again, the wording is not<br />
clear, as the UK government simply states that it will “seek to protect” the
right<br />
of establishment for EU citizens in the UK and vice versa, rather than to<br />
guarantee this.<br />
c. Cross-border working. There is also reference to seeking to protect the
right to<br />
provide cross-border services although it is unclear whether this means
crossborder<br />
working in general. The right of EU citizens’ to continue to provide
crossborder<br />
services in the UK, e.g. the various directives on the rights of professions<br />
to practise in other EU countries is not even mentioned and thus does not<br />
appear to be covered, and note the points made above on mutual recognition<br />
of qualifications.<br />
7. Voting rights.<br />
There is no mention of voting rights in this proposal at all, and it appears
that this is<br />
another area in which settled status for EU citizens in the UK will differ from<br />
citizenship. Likewise, there is no mention of seeking to guarantee continuing
voting<br />
rights, at least at local and European level, for UK citizens in the EU. This
is also an<br />
area that is not addressed by the EU negotiating directives.<br />
8. Students:<br />
The position of students is unclear. This affects both UK citizens resident in
the EU<br />
and EU citizens in the UK. UK citizens who go to the UK from their EU residence
to<br />
study pre- and post-Brexit face issues as regards their permanent residence
status,<br />
while the same would be true regarding EU citizens in the UK who leave to study
in<br />
the EU. There are also issues concerning fees and the recognition of qualifications,<br />
particularly for students who are UK citizens from EU countries. In general,
there is<br />
very little consideration of the position of young UK citizens resident in EU
countries<br />
now embarking on their studies in the UK or EU 27 countries.<br />
There also seems to be no right to stay on to seek work after degree, in
contrast to<br />
the position set out in the EU’s Essential Principles on Citizens’ Rights
document.<br />
Not does there appear to be any right to stay on to do further studies, for
example,<br />
a Masters or a PhD.<br />
British in Europe the3million<br />
1 July 2017</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-42374366838738346222016-08-20T09:38:00.000+02:002016-08-20T09:38:10.943+02:00Letter to the Cabinet Office<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span>To
the Cabinet Office, </span>with copies to the various
Boundary Commission bodies, and certain other concerned
politicians etc.<br />
<i> </i><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I write as the
administrator of
the Pensioners Debout! site, and even more as an active
supporter of the campaign
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.votes-for-expat-brits.com/">www.votes-for-expat-brits.com</a> and of the campaign for Expat
Citizens Rights in the EU.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Further I have
frequent
communication with Harry Shindler, the 95 year old campaigner
for
Political Representation for the British citizens abroad.<br />
Harry draws attention to the words of the United Nations
Declaration of Human
Rights.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Article
21 (i) </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1.
Everyone has the
right to take part in the government of his country, directly
or through freely
chosen representatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
British
Government is a signatory to that Declaration.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet the British Government refuses to bring
forward a long
promised Bill present in the last Election Manifesto for <b>'Votes-for-
Life'</b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In contrast France and Italy have long
understood the need
to recognise the value and the need to recognise the Citizen
Abroad. They have
constituency ‘deputies’ or assembly members to represent them at
a National
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Britain
cuts off our representation after 15 years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I first retired to France
at the age of 69 (I am now 84) I had the chance to vote for up
to 20 years. That
was cut dead by the Blair Government without any reference to my
opinion<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– thus taking
away quite arbitrarily my Right
to vote, notably important in the Referendum– </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Citizen abroad has huge ties to the United
Kingdom – Socially
(family), Culturally and
Financially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I and my
wife are in all
three ways so linked, that the current Brexit approach could
seriously harm our
way of life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But these are incidental to the urgent need
to be
represented in our National Government – The Government of the
Nation. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Nation is the
assemblage of Citizens,
wherever they live.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Government
has responsibility for all citizens, and should have a
sensitivity towards them, as the expatriate
should have towards the Government. Currently this dialogue and
mutual interest is
severed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That severance can only be healed by creating
overseas
constituencies. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Understand the following points.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Overseas
Citizens have strong links with Britain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Overseas
Citizens<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are often
immensely proud of
their British roots.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Overseas
Citizens have little interest in the minutiae of management of
any on-shore
constituency, but they most surely often have an interest in the
standing and
activities of Britain
in the World, and the particular part that they themselves play
in these.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
existing MPs, conscious of their own parochial
interests are reluctant to extend the franchise of their <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>localised constituency to
overseas voters.
They would probably vote down a simple extension of the
principle
of Votes-for-Life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Overseas
Citizens have various<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>problems
which
relate to British Government deliberations – pensions – treaty
arrangements<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>affecting
..health .. work
permits.. investment/savings opportunities.. bank accounts …
cross border movements..,
for example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the last
General Election & Referendum more than 250,000 Citizens
abroad registered to Vote. Remember
many including myself and my wife were <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">prevented from voting.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am not here
suggesting that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">at this
time</i> one proposes as many
overseas constituencies as has France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one could start with
TWO minimum, one for
Europe and one for the rest of the World.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the years pass, and
the notion becomes
accepted as normal, then the number could increase.</div>
At this time one
detects a resentment<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> on
the part of many expatriates of all ages. towards the British
Government<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Many would
raise the two fingers to it. That attitude is picked up by our
foreign neighbours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
fulfilling the promise to grant the
vote-for-life in the manner proposed here, this could be turned
about, so that
the expatriate takes a pride in their Government.<br />
Yours respectfully,Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-45683070736089486852016-05-23T09:16:00.000+02:002016-05-23T09:16:01.750+02:00Europe since 1945<h2 class="entry-title">
<a href="https://sayyes2europe.eu/2016/05/22/why-give-up-our-voice-influence-and-opt-for-an-uncertain-future-i-shall-vote-in-on-23rd-june/" rel="bookmark">Why give up our voice, influence and opt for an uncertain future? I shall vote IN on 23rd June</a></h2>
<h2 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">I copy this here because I can remember everything which Grahame White describes.</span> </h2>
<div class="entry-meta">
<span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author">Posted on</span> <a href="https://sayyes2europe.eu/2016/05/22/why-give-up-our-voice-influence-and-opt-for-an-uncertain-future-i-shall-vote-in-on-23rd-june/" rel="bookmark" title="9:18 pm"><span class="entry-date">22/05/2016</span></a> <span class="by-author"><span class="sep">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://sayyes2europe.eu/author/winston1940/" rel="author" title="View all posts by Grahame">Grahame</a></span> </span> </div>
By Geoffrey White a member of one of the “SY2E – Remain in the EU” groups.<br />
I grew up in a time of post-war austerity. My country, the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was broke and virtually
in ruins. Germans were still “the enemy” in children’s games. Bomb sites
and abandoned air-raid shelters were our playgrounds. Nine years after
the war ended butter, meat and sugar were still rationed. One couldn’t
buy sweets without coupons issued by the government.<br />
Portugal and Spain were fascist dictatorships. In Spain unauthorised
gatherings of more than 3 people were illegal. A military junta later
seized power in Greece.<br />
Half of Europe was sealed off behind the Iron Curtain. I remember
lying in bed at night, in my parents home, and hearing the roar of
American warplanes flying overhead on their Cold War missions. We were
told that, if the Russians unleashed their missiles, we would get 4
minutes’ warning of Armageddon.<br />
In Britain our currency was weak. We had exchange controls.
Travellers were allowed to take only £25 sterling out of the country
plus a limited amount in foreign currency. On return, any left over had
to be sold back to an authorised trader. The details were entered in
one’s passport. (See photo.)<br />
The UK still had the death penalty despite some obvious and
irreversible miscarriages of justice. In France they still executed
condemned prisoners by cutting their heads off. In Spain they used
strangulation.<br />
The press and the BBC, (there was only the BBC), were not free from
government interference and books, films and plays were censored. Women
were paid less than men for equivalent work and landlords could turn
away black and Irish people with impunity. For private acts of “gross
indecency” gay men were sent to prison.<br />
During the 1950s, six similarly devastated European countries were
determined that the catastrophe of war between them should never be
repeated. They decided to work towards creating a single European
economy. The result was never “just a trading agreement” as some
detractors now suggest. The Treaty of Rome, signed in 1957, provided for
free movement of goods, services, people and capital, with the stated
aim of “closer relations between the States”.<br />
The UK was invited to participate from the outset, but Prime Minister
Attlee rather scornfully declined, thus missing the opportunity to
influence the future development of Europe. However, by 1961 it had
become obvious that the economies of “the Six”, (France, West Germany,
Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg), were growing faster
than ours, so we applied to join. It took 9 years of negotiations, (and 2
vetoes), before terms were agreed. The United Kingdom officially joined
the European Communities on 1st January 1973.<br />
In the 1980s many of our skilled workers took advantage of the free
movement of people and migrated to West Germany, whose economy had
already overtaken ours. These British ” migrants” were the inspiration
for a popular television series, “Auf Wiedersehen, Pet”.<br />
Since 1945 there have been wars in Europe, but none between countries
that were members of the European Union. Despite global economic
storms, the EU’s citizens in 28 independent countries enjoy greater
prosperity and greater freedom of movement, freedom from discrimination,
freedom from conflict, freedom to trade across borders and freedom of
expression than at any time in history.<br />
So far no country has ever applied to leave the EU. There have always
been candidates to join but to succeed they must have democracy, the
rule of law, a market economy and guarantees for the protection of
minorities and human rights. They also need the support of ALL existing
members, including us, without which they cannot join.<br />
In my opinion it would be a shame if Britain were to turn its back on
Europe, give up its voice and influence, and opt for an uncertain
future. So…I shall vote IN on 23rd June.<br />
<img alt="13239173_10154075261987347_6965273189001813548_n" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4902" src="https://brexiteu.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/13239173_10154075261987347_6965273189001813548_n.jpg?w=640" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-23953964941942642472016-04-11T17:38:00.000+02:002016-04-17T09:35:32.474+02:00Five Tales of a possible Future – after Brexit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span>Five Tales of a possible Future – after Brexit.</span></u></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;">All these conjectural tales are based on knowledge of real
people and events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;">Plainly, one cannot ask people of their experiences of the
future.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The composition, the
names of people and their locations are entirely fictional.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple;">Many people have not the information at hand to imagine
what the future may hold. These tales are written to bring into focus what is
known about the EU regulations and what the effects of their end might entail.
The Tales cover five different age groups and backgrounds.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: purple;">1. The small entrepreneur who took advantage
of the EU freedom of movement.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: purple;">2. The young student.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: purple;">3. The mature professional</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: purple;">4. A young retired but active couple.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: purple;">5. Two very elderly and very ordinary single
women.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> - YEAR 2031</b> Bill Jarrold is a 60 year
old man British born in Norwich.
His parents were tenants of a small farm but have retired within the last few
years and are feeling the affects of age.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Their son lives in Ginsac and
married a French girl 28 years earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 2002 Bill had come over to France
to set up a plumbing business<sup>1</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A fair number of British people live around Ginsac and he saw that it
could be a thriving business, firstly with the Brits but hopefully also with
the French people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he could
undercut the French competitors by buying stock from the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As time went by his trade expanded and he
established a shop called ‘Kitchens-pour-tous’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ‘half English’ added a ‘cachet’ for the
French.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, and his wife Angeline did
well, his two children grew up bilingual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His own French, aided by his wife <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>became practically perfect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Then in 2018 Brexit occurred –
Nothing changed, he was well assimilated into the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as the next five years passed, British
clients became fewer<sup>2</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
was not much of a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
French government imposed an import duty<sup>3</sup> on the materials he
previously imported from the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The paper work to deal with this increased
and became an irritation but no great problem. He had to hike his prices but
his French clients were not too disturbed. His work was top-notch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But he became worried about his
parents. “Why don’t you come and live near us?” -- “That’s lovely Bill. We will
try to do that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- They got their visas<sup>4</sup>
from the French border check and visited Bill and Angeline and their two daughters,
At the Mairie they completed forms for Cartes de Séjour <sup>5</sup>. Later a
letter arrived from the Mairie, saying in French “<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">We</span> regret<span lang="EN-IE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"> that</span> your request for residency cards
has been refused because you do not have enough funds. And also we need to know
that you will have health insurances.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">Notes
– </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">1.
Bill could do this because of ‘EU Freedom of Movement’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">2.
Elderly British Citizens are tending to go ‘home’ or die and fewer arrive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">3.
After Brexit, Governments can impose any rules they like. Free trade
arrangements will not be in place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">4.
Visas could be imposed.</span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 10.0pt;"> The
EU could introduce tighter external border controls administered by each border
State. They would probably be of little concern for </span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 10.0pt;"> citizens</span><span style="color: purple;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One has to demonstrate that one would not be
a burden on the </span><span style="color: purple;">French</span><span style="color: purple;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">State</span><span style="color: purple;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TWO - YEAR 2028</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julie Spinks
is a lecturer in marine biology at the Brittany
college of Marine
Biology at Brest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was born in Hailsham. When she was
eighteen in 2008 she went to study at the university at Exeter.
She learned that she could study on a European Erasmus scholarship at
Marseille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a very intelligent
girl and took advantage of that chance and not only got a high degree and
doctorate but also became fluent in French.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So she got the job of her dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Her cousin Susan is ten years
younger than her. The two families were very close because their mothers are
sisters and they went on holidays together to Brittany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Susan idolised her cousin and said ‘I am
going to that as well!” .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Susan was
of an age to go to University in 2018,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the Brexit had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
could no longer apply for an Erasmus scholarship because she was no longer a
European Citizen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">Notes.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">Erasmus
grants are available to young Europeans citizens to obtain degrees at
universities in al EU States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scheme
has recently been extended<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by 16 million
euros per year. Students can receive 300 euros a month<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to study abroad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THREE - YEAR 2019<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Sheila
Crabb is a professional international lawyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She began her career after qualifying in law in London
by going to work for an international team in Bruges,
Belgium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being close to the Centre of activities
in the European Union she was attracted to working for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the European Centre in Brussels.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She became skilled in many aspects of
Euro law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She moved out to work in Trier,
a vigorous German City
just close to the Luxembourg
border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She acquired clients in Germany,
Belgium and France,
for by this time she was trilingual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Brexit came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her professional
status fell away, because she was not permitted to function in the European
Courts as her qualification <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was no
longer that of a European State.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;">Notes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">EU
Directive 98/5/EC enables qualified<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>solicitors to work in any EU State.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;">There are similar opportunities for dentists, teachers and
other professionals</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FOUR - YEAR 2022 </b>Roland Giles<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>likes the clothes he buys from John Lewis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lives in Spain
a few kilometres in from Valencia
on the Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In England
he worked in John Lewis’s clothing department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He moved to Spain
on retirement in 1999, so has been there for 23 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every so
often he places an order for some clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His wife also used to buy ‘stuff’ from Britain
by mail order, such as pots and pans from a Lake District
supplier when they changed their cooker to an ‘induction’ type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They paid by their credit card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the Brexit vote in 2016, nothing much
changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the UK
began re-negotiations with various EU States on commercial activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There followed much argument reported in the
popular English papers in Spain
and the other countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spain
and France
first, protecting their own industries, imposed duties on goods imported from
abroad<sup>1</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then British shops
increased the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>restriction on the use of
credit card payments from within the EU<sup>2</sup>. The goods increased in
price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spanish Government then,
feeling a need to increase the supply of funds to their treasury, imposed an
extra tax<sup>1</sup> on properties belonging to foreigners. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">Notes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">1
After Brexit any State can impose any taxes where they will.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">2. As
it is now, some British companies refuse payment on Credit Cards where the
registered address is outside the </span><span style="color: purple;">UK</span><span style="color: purple;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such restrictions
appear to flout EU existing regulations<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and need correction. After Brexit, there is no possibility of the
freedom of movement of services being fully implemented. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FIVE</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> - YEAR 2024 </b>Mary Ellis was born in
1936 Wanstead, London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never married. Her working life was spent
as a typist. She is now nearing ninety years old and lives in Normandy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She moved when she was sixty two with her dear
friend Rosemary (aged 56) in 1998.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
and Rosemary felt they could enjoy their retirement years in more comfort than
in the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They bought a house together for far less
than they could afford in the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their two pensions could give them a reasonable
standard of living. Rosemary had retired early because she had phlebitis which made
walking difficult. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their health care
costs were partly covered by the British Government through the EU agreements.
Not that they fully understood that at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They knew that others had retired to France
and it seemed alright for others, so it ought to be O.K. for them. The Brexit vote
came in 2016. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing much changed. They
were aware of the fuss on the BBC TV and
radio, easily received in Normandy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their pensions arrived on time, they received
the Winter Fuel Payment and Rosemary had, she thought, her Disability Living Allowance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had had a worry when for a time Rosemary
was not granted the Disability Allowance<sup>1</sup>, and were grateful when
through the protestations of other younger Britons abroad, it was
restored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a shock in 2015 when
the Winter Fuel allowance<sup>1</sup> (as they called it) stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Brexit all such benefits stopped across
the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They still are worried about
their State pensions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Conservatives were
considering bringing in a Statutory Instrument to limit the annual increases.<sup>2</sup>
The current Labour Government since 2020 is still discussing arrangements with
the EU States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trouble has arisen over
matters of ‘mutuality’ and whether mutual arrangements have to be made with
each of the 27 States or collectively via the EU Commission<sup>3</sup>. The
Commission argues that the UK
is now a foreign power. The French State
is still covering their health costs as though they are French nationals – as
an act of humanity, but is arguing with the UK Government about funding. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>France
does not see why the British elderly should be a drain on its funds<sup>4</sup>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why should the French tax payer find the
cost!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The argument between France and
the UK<sup>5</sup> and the European Commission goes on and on and Mary and
Rosemary hear much via the TV but philosophically say ‘whatever will be, will
be’. They are pawns in a game between the Governments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Prime Minister argues with the French President.
The EU Commission more or less says ‘You voted out!’ – The EU has troubles<sup>6</sup>
enough with the other States, particularly the Netherlands,
and Denmark,
and then Putin is still putting pressure on the Baltic States,
which include a Russian population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
EU can’t be bothered about Rosemary and Mary. They are foreigners.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">Notes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">1. The
WFP was stopped for pensioners in </span><span style="color: purple;">France</span><span style="color: purple;"> by Iain Duncan Smith on spurious grounds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">The </span><span style="color: purple;">DLA</span><span style="color: purple;">
was only allowed after the EU made representations to the </span><span style="color: purple;">UK</span><span style="color: purple;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outflow of sterling could force the
Government to find various austerity measures. The Pension Act of 2014 enables
them to freeze the State pension to those living abroad -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The release of EU protective regulations now
permits this for the EU States.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">3. The
EU Commission has the role of co-ordination between the EU States and between
those States and outside . If the </span><span style="color: purple;">UK</span><span style="color: purple;"> wishes to agree to any EU regulations it cannot at the
same time be entirely outside the EU. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">4.
There were in 2007 only 85 French pensioners in the </span><span style="color: purple;">UK</span><span style="color: purple;"> benefiting from the NHS as a free health service. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">In
2007 the French demanded 4162 euros per head from the </span><span style="color: purple;">UK</span><span style="color: purple;"> for each of the 34,000 British pensioners in </span><span style="color: purple;">France</span><span style="color: purple;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are now
69,000 such pensioners. Assuming that now the cost for health care is likely to
be over 4,500 euros/head at the very least, the global sum will be now exceed
310,000,000 euros per year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously,
would </span><span style="color: purple;">France</span><span style="color: purple;"> ask the French tax payer to pay this sum?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">But
those pensioners are not using the staff nor the physical structure of the NHS
in the </span><span style="color: purple;">UK</span><span style="color: purple;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">5. Not
dissimilar problems would arise with </span><span style="color: purple;">Spain</span><span style="color: purple;"> (particularly) and other EU States</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">6. The
right wing parties in other EU States are pressuring their governments. </span><span style="color: purple;">Russia</span><span style="color: purple;"> will see the Brexit as a weakening of the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A certain amount of political discord would
follow a Brexit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: purple;">.</span></div>
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<![endif]-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-44418822880185121282016-04-10T11:00:00.000+02:002016-04-15T11:49:33.238+02:00Five Tales of a possible Future – after Brexit.<!--[if !mso]>
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<br />
<br />
Please visit - the updated version at the following link.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/five-tales-of-possible-future-after.html">http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/five-tales-of-possible-future-after.html </a><br />
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<![endif]-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-36633516437949570032016-04-06T09:22:00.000+02:002016-04-07T15:58:53.718+02:00The future for The British Citizen if the vote should fall for Brexit.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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The Prime Minister speaks
forcibly to The Telegraph. Read <a href="https://goo.gl/fWpvUK">https://goo.gl/fWpvUK</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Mr.Cameron in the above speaks of
Trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is written below is from the
viewpoint of a Citizen who was born in 1932.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I remember years of poverty before WWII<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>even as far back as the jubilee of King George V, the grandfather of
Queen Elizabeth II, when as a four year old I danced round a celebratory
bonfire singing the song of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Boy
Scouts in charge ‘There may be flies on you you you, but the’re no flies on us”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a few years those Scouts were
fighting for European civilisation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I voted in the Referendum of 1975
and knew quite well what we were voting for.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Since the terrible times of
1939-1945 much has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took
advantage of the European Union to retire to live in France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I celebrate the cementing of European Culture
across the nation states. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During my time
I have had more irritation with British bureaucratic intransigence than with
the French.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What follows is a view of
the problems facing those who would follow in our paths.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman\,Bold"; mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman\,Bold"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
Generations of British Citizens to come who might wish to live in other EU
States.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Those
seeking to be employed would have to obtain some form of work permit. Unskilled
workers would find it extremely hard to establish themselves, if it were at all
possible. Those wishing to set up businesses – perhaps as plumbers or other
technical craftsmen would find it near impossible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Money exchange </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">– There would be no guarantee that State
pensions would be paid without<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>change
-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>British Law – The Pension Act 2014
clause 20 - permits the Minister of DWP to freeze pensions paid to citizens who
live abroad. The clause was included despite protests.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">All money transfers -The individual EU States could
impose a tax on money coming from the </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">UK</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has happened before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The British Government could impose ceilings on
money going abroad – it has done so before – Mrs Thatcher removed such a
ceiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Without the protection afforded by EU regulations
nothing is certain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be
labelled scare mongering by Brexiteers – but what is certain is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uncertainty. </i>If Brexit should fall, all
would depend on negotiations between the </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">UK</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
and the <b><u>other 27 States,</u></b> taking years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Uncertainty
will cause the value of the £ to fall.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Possibilities of other restrictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">With the lifting of the protection of the EU
regulations, each EU State is able to act independently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This opens the way for restrictions to be
imposed on Bank accounts of foreigners or on their property or any other
discriminatory taxes and laws, without any EU wide protection..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The incipient freedom to open </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">UK</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
based bank accounts and use </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">UK</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
financial institutions would falter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Medical Care</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again
it is the EU regulation [883/2004] which establishes the right to provision of
health care across the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is at
two levels.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1. The European Health Insurance Card –EHIC .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is issued by the citizen’s ‘</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Competent</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">State</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">’
for Social Security to all travellers within the EU and entitles such to any
emergency treatment for visitors in another State. This would cease.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2. The treatment for resident pensioners and their
dependents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Medical care is given as
though one is a national of the State where the Citizen is resident but the
cost of that is borne by the NHS. – (i.e the Social Security of the ‘</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Competent</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">State</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">’).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Visa requirements </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
happens now with Americans who wish to reside in </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">France</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
et alia,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>immigrants (for that is what
future citizens would be) would be required to demonstrate financial stability.
This can affect accompanying spouses and the visits of Family and Friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visas often have time limits.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Citizenship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
possibility of voting for and serving on local communal councils will
cease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>British citizens will no longer
be considered as normal members of the community. This will cause changes of
approach at any public department where<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>public servants operate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Border checks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">British
Citizens would have to pass through NON-EU gates at the EU borders which would
be likely to prove onerous with more detailed inspection.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nationality</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> British Citizens would cease to be European
Citizens protected under EU law. They would be immigrants and foreigners. </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Britons living abroad could
apply for nationality of<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>the country in which they reside, but it
is an expensive and lengthy process and </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Austria</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> does not permit dual
citizenship. Surrendering British Nationality would be foolish.</span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Brian</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cave</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> with the help of Frank
Jackson.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
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<![endif]-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-40214237334073774532016-04-01T11:13:00.000+02:002016-04-06T09:26:16.902+02:00British Pensioners in Europe and beyond - An Analysis.<!--[if !mso]>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>British Pensioners in </u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Europe</u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>
and beyond – An Analysis</u></b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The emigration of pensioners to Europe
and beyond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PlJn7_Op69FYjNCwzwqda_bu4g4xVbnVcBZLqQIK2jupl959A0soHzfvVFBQO35LvN-qTuFnh57bDAGR6xaGnq6NzVkctwDlfSuRWxvE6TNd837097LmUmpPXv3HO5yy5JtPRbzHsexi/s1600/TABLE+2015+-EMIGRATION+w-w+2002-2011-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PlJn7_Op69FYjNCwzwqda_bu4g4xVbnVcBZLqQIK2jupl959A0soHzfvVFBQO35LvN-qTuFnh57bDAGR6xaGnq6NzVkctwDlfSuRWxvE6TNd837097LmUmpPXv3HO5yy5JtPRbzHsexi/s320/TABLE+2015+-EMIGRATION+w-w+2002-2011-2015.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
countries coloured Blue are in the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those without star *<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have
pensions frozen at the time the recipient emigrated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoMFlqzKzUdm01yaPELbjoC9ScFMmSh0E1TIN4AwwH3A1uKVewCGFtidVbDu0djCN5C90YwMF308lscBwE3Md2Tq-l-EZFtLblBdQYT0pHAxq7DPNZGikYyO3Fmb3E1I7lx8ajJnjwWmC/s1600/%2525+abroad+2002-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoMFlqzKzUdm01yaPELbjoC9ScFMmSh0E1TIN4AwwH3A1uKVewCGFtidVbDu0djCN5C90YwMF308lscBwE3Md2Tq-l-EZFtLblBdQYT0pHAxq7DPNZGikYyO3Fmb3E1I7lx8ajJnjwWmC/s320/%2525+abroad+2002-2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the <span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">12,955,300 </span>Citizens who
receive the UK State Pension, by 2015 - <span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1,230,390 live outside the </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">. That is 9.5%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">QUESTIONS………………….</span></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Why do the pensioners
emigrate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Why has the numbers generally
flattened off since 2011?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Is this emigration of advantage
or not to the British Economy?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">What are the advantages or
disadvantages to the pensioners in emigrating?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Why have the numbers in </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Pakistan</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Jamaica</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> fallen so much?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And why have they fallen in </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Australia</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Canada</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">South Africa</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- And </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Italy</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Why have the numbers risen so
much in N.Z., </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ireland</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">France</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> between 2008 - 2014? Why the
increase to </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">India</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> – a frozen pension country?</span></li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Suggestions
for the answers</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> –
derived from anecdotal evidence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do the pensioners emigrate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It varies – </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Often the housing costs are considerably cheaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Much of </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Europe</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">,)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Some are joining children who have previously emigrated. (</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Australia</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Canada</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Some are returning to the land of their birth. (</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">India</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Jamaica</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ireland</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">? )</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Summer</span></u></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> weather/climate is drier and
warmer<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Much of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Europe)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The countries of retirement are English Speaking<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ireland</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">, N.Z. etc)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">There is more space and a less hectic way of life (Much of
Europe).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The desire for new adventure while there is still time
--<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Exposure to a different culture ,and, learning a new
language, broadening experience</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Some dislike of changes in the </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">, especially any which restrict
their lives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">2. Why has
the numbers generally flattened off since 2011?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The threatening approach of a possible Brexit? (All </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Europe</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> curves). The Times journal </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">29/03/16</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> reports that ‘a hundred a day are
returning to the </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> from </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Spain</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">See also </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Italy</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> q.7 below.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Austerity?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Remembering that everyone has a certain life-span.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The increase in numbers represents additions
minus deaths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is likely that a
ceiling in the curve of those emigrating would be reached. However note the
countries where the %’s fall.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Further a slight addition could be of those who have achieved pensionable age whilst living abroad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this emigration of advantage or not to the
British Economy?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">.Positive<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- The
pensioners do not use the physical facilities of the NHS, even though those in </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Europe</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> get some payment of their medical
care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those far from </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Europe</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> get no support.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">They free up some housing stock.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">They do not use the free bus passes and TV licences which
saves money.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Many have </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> based investments, benefiting the
economy, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could and would <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>do so more</i> if the UK Government made it
easier. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Negative – Their pensions are not all spent in the </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> economy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">4. What are
the advantages or disadvantages to the pensioners in emigrating?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Positive – as listed generally in answer to 1.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Negative – Lack of any voice at all at the political level –
leading to no voice in the manner and use of </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> investments.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A feeling of almost total neglect or lack of interest in
them by the British Government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In certain countries the pension falls in value year by year
as it is frozen. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">5. Why have
the numbers in </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Pakistan</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Jamaica</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> fallen so much?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Possibly the standard of living and Governance of these
countries is a problem. Pakistan also has a frozen pension regime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">6. And why
have they fallen in </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Australia</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Canada</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">South Africa</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">?.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The freezing of the State pension is a very likely cause.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Italy</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Uncertain – The fears of a Brexit seem most likely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">7. Why have
the numbers risen so much in N.Z., </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ireland</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">France</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> between 2008-2014?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">N.Z. provides pensions which supplement the frozen </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> pension and it is a very ‘English’
country.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ireland</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> is almost certainly the birth-land
or ancestral land of many UK State pensioners. It has more space and in many
ways is so similar to </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">England</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">France</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> is adjacent to </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">England</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> and there is easy access to family
and friends, within a short time travel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">India</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> has a steadily rising economy, but
is at present an economical country. It has little religious friction, and
would be attractive to retiring ‘British’ Indians, who have done well in the </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Postscript
–<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be argued that it is in the
interest of the British economy to encourage the pensioners to retire abroad
(q.v. 3 above).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is unfortunate that
the Government puts difficulties in their way with regard to investing in
British enterprises, and financial institutions. Many (especially in the EU)
buy goods from the </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The figures
are all derived from published Government Statistics on the State pension.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-61189834103959876892016-02-29T10:58:00.000+01:002016-03-20T09:46:21.547+01:00The Winter Fuel Payment<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This is a copy of a document sent to the DWP on </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">29<sup>th</sup>
February 2016</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Subject concerns the
Statutory Instrument 2014 no. 3270 tabled before Parliament </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">15th December 2014</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">. This removes payment of the WFP within 6
countries and </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gibraltar</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Reference your FoI reply 360 of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">26<sup>th</sup> February 2016</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">,</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Attention <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">– P.Lapraik, Work, Welfare and Wellbeing
later in Life Division within the DWP</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 19.85pt; margin-right: 19.85pt; margin-top: 0cm;">
Dear Mr <span class="spelle">Lapraik</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 19.85pt; margin-right: 19.85pt; margin-top: 0cm;">
You have
experience of producing official booklets for ‘At-risk groups including older
people with pre-existing medical conditions as well as those whose health,
housing or economic circumstances put them at greater risk of harm from cold
weather.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am aware the booklets were
drawn up to care for older people in England,
however, it seems to me the advice should apply to all British Citizens in
receipt of a UK State Pension.</div>
<div class="default" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 19.85pt; margin-right: 19.85pt; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">The two booklets pay attention to the negative
health effects starting at relatively moderate outdoor mean temperatures of
4-8°C; and refer to the geographical distribution of cold weather as not being
uniform. Low temperatures tend to be more severe in rural and exposed areas,
occurring earlier in some parts of the country than others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 19.85pt; margin-right: 19.85pt; margin-top: 0cm;">
You were
involved in the development and application of a policy, which declared an
average winter temperature for the whole of France
of 7.0°C, when you knew 19 of 22 Regions of France were below that figure, and
15 of them were below that of SW England.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outcome has been damaging for numerous
British pensioners in other States of the EU as you will discover as you read
towards the end of this document after I have commented on the reply to
question four of my FoI request.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 19.85pt; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 19.85pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In this mail I seek an internal
review of my FoI 360 request, for I find the reply which I have received unsatisfactory.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I respond<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in turn to each of the answers to my
questions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Reply
Question One</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1. To state what was the <b>objective </b>in
drawing up this S.I.?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">Your reply refers me to the
S.I. note & memorandum<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
memorandum states </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">“<span style="color: #993300;">Ministers
are concerned about paying Winter Fuel Payments in EEA countries where the
weather is generally warmer than the </span></span><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 15.0pt;">UK</span><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 15.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, DWP has considered ways of ensuring that the payment is
better targeted on people who live in countries with a cold<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>climate</span><span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">.”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The following answer (TWO) implies that this is
incorrect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For that reply states -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #993300;">“</span></span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: "arial";">Other methods of making off-setting
savings in public expenditure were considered”</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Although the memorandum states that the objective
reason is otherwise, this is an obfuscation, for the true objective reason is a
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>cost saving measure</u></i>. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Do you agree or not
that the objective reason is a cost saving measure?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "georgia";">Briefing from the DWP led both the
Prime Minister’s Office, and that of the then Chairman of the Conservative
Party to write to many complainants, that the DWP was: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“broadly offsetting the cost of a recent European court judgement which
stated that the Government must pay Winter Fuel Payment to EEA citizens who
have a "genuine and sufficient link" with the UK”</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is clearly saying that the measure was intended as a cost-saving proposal. Does
this not indicate that the DWP has the intention to circumnavigate around <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the EU regulations on the protection of the
aged to achieve this objective? The memorandum in so many words admits that
this was the intention.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Reply
Question Two<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2. Which other methods of
achieving that objective were considered?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Your reply clearly says
that my question is not going to be answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish to explore this because it is central to discovering the reasons
for the S.I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we can agree, can
we not, that the objective reason is a cost saving measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On that basis what other measures were
considered to cut the costs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Did the DWP research
the possibility of including the WFP as an integral part of the State Pension,
perhaps as a higher winter supplement to it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Did the DWP consider
dropping the WFP altogether?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Did the DWP
consider<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>means testing of the WFP?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">? others?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Reply
Question Three </span></b><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">3. Why was the temperature criterion selected to achieve this objective?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The question is asking<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> ---<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b>What led the DWP to latch onto the idea of a temperature test? i..e.
<i><u>To cut the costs!</u></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Again the answer throws one
back to the Explanatory memorandum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
reveals no further information on this question.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">It says -DWP is aware there
will be people who live in cold regions of “warm” countries who will not be
eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/3270/pdfs/uksiem_20143270_en.pdf">http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/3270/pdfs/uksiem_20143270_en.pdf</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
The welfare of the individual citizen was considered of
lesser worth than the convenience of the administration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An attempt has been made to search for loop
holes or weaknesses in EU law to save costs, with disregard for the impact
on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>numerous British Citizens. Do you not
agree?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Reply
question Four</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> . </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">4. What investigation or
investigations were carried out to consider the potential impact of this
temperature criterion on the poorer British Citizen</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">State pensioners resident
in the seven EU States and dependency affected by this S.I.?</span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What investigations were carried out etc – i.e. impact
assessments?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>You admit that none at
all were carried out</u>, do you not?</span><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The aforesaid Explanatory
note states </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #ff6600;">“A full impact assessment has
not been produced for these Regulations as they have no impact on the private
sector or civil society organisations.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You send to me in answer the Equality Analysis
relating to restricting eligibility to Winter Fuel Payments in the EEA – Which
is indeed not a full impact statement for the reply itself admits that the DWP
has not considered the socio-economic implications of the S.I.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">That Equality Act States –"An authority
must….have due regard to the desirability of exercising them in a way that is
designed to reduce the inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic
disadvantage." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Whatever the statement in the reply “</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">Please note that socio-economic status is not a
protected characteristic under section 149 (public sector equality duty) of the
Equality Act 2010” is meant to convey…..</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I cannot read anything in the Equality Act 2010 which
justifies the exclusion of appropriate consideration of the impact of this S.I.
on the weak, the aged, and the disabled, citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It specifically states that </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">AGE</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> is a protected characteristic.</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[Postscript to this </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">on 20/03/2016</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> – Mr. Lapraik’s report on the relation between the
Equality Act 2010<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>states </span><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Age Impact<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">There is no evidence to suggest that there will be
any impact on people on the<b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>basis
of their age. The change does not affect the age at which a customer will be
entitled to a WFP.] </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">One might argue that the SI
selectively targets certain groups of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>aged citizens and that as such it is contrary to the spirit of the
Equality Act.] </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I give below some extracts of information which I hold
of such impacts which demonstrate unequivocally the deleterious impacts on some
citizens resident in other States of the EU. They demonstrate only too well the
manner in which the DWP fails to obey the requirements of the Equality Act with
regard to welfare of the elderly.<br />
<i> I ask for you to fully consider the matters I draw to your attention
and consider the consequences of continuing the actions which the DWP have
established.<br />
Is it not the responsibility of your division within the DWP to recommend
measures for the well being of the aged British Citizens?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>---</b> 10/02/2012 20:03 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Evening
Mr Cave.<br />
Just as I was yesterday, I am typing Emails sitting up in bed. I am fully
clothed in three jumpers, two pairs of trousers and a track suit. <br />
My dear husband, similarly dressed, is tucked up beside me. He is
eighty-six, and suffers from epilepsy and a certain amount of mental
confusion.<br />
Outside the temperature is minus 2 degrees, and is expected to fall to minus 10
degrees tonight - a big improvement on the <br />
minus 14 degrees we had last night. <br />
We retired to bed at three o'clock
this afternoon, when my husband found that crouching over our log-burner became
too much strain<br />
on his back. The only room we can afford to keep warm is our bedroom,
where we can use our electric blanket <br />
plus a paraffin stove for warmth. Our house has an antiquated central
heating system which has broken down - and we can't afford to repair<br />
or replace it. <br />
My husband served his country during the war, and worked all his life
thereafter without claiming a day's unemployment benefit.<br />
He finally retired at seventy.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">15/02/2012</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Like your
correspondent, we moved to </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">France</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> sixteen years ago, the year before the
Winter Fuel Payment was instituted. Since then, we have met many British
expats, most of whom arrived in France more than six years after ourselves, and
they, of course, do receive this allowance. Whilst we do not, of course,
hold this against them; good luck to them - I'm glad they get it. But it is
this blatant discrimination by the British government, resulting in the older,
more frail (and in many cases, poorer) pensioners being the ones to whom this
vital heating allowance is denied and this really upsets me. It beggars
belief and I am absolutely astonished that those in successive governments have
been unable to see this, not to mention their breaking of European rules (as
outlined by the British Expats Association, Spain, and yourself, on many
occasions). </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Like most of our
friends, when we arrived in </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">France</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> aged 60, we were in good health.
However, as we all know, as the years go on, many of us are beset by
various illnesses and the frailty of old age. I have had several
operations and many investigations in hospital for various internal and
ophthalmic problems. My husband had a hip replacement three years ago and
two other operations since then. He was diagnosed with lung cancer a year
ago, for which he is being treated with chemotherapy. He has suffered
horrific and debilitating side effects and I am, of course, at the age of 77,
his only carer. We have no family, either here or in the U.K. There
have been improvements as well as setbacks in the progress of his illness and
further chemotherapy is planned.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As you can imagine,
this past year has been extremely hard on both of us and it is only with the
support of the excellent French health professionals as well as the kindness of
our friends and neighbours (both French and British) that we have managed to
cope. We live on a joint pension income of 12,000 pounds sterling per
annum and have to draw on our very modest savings to supplement this.
Because of our low income, we downsized seven years ago to a tiny, one-bedroomed
house which my husband converted from a carpenter's workshop but his illness
and treatment cause him to feel the cold in the extreme and, in spite of the
size of our house, I dread to think what our heating bill will be this Winter.
It is so dreadfully unfair that we and others in our situation are not
allowed to receive the Winter Fuel Payment <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>from the British government when our
compatriots do! And, of course, there is nothing we can do about it as,
having lived in </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">France</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> for more than fifteen years, we are now disenfranchised as well!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">S.E R.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">****************</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">December 30<sup>th</sup> 2014</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a 74 year old British Pensioner, I have health problems
- high blood pressure placing me in a high risk category of heart attacks and
strokes, requiring beta blocker medication for the rest of my life; and I’m a
thrombophilia sufferer requiring anti-coagulants for the rest of life, which
thin my blood and make me more vulnerable to extreme temperatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it doesn’t matter whether I live in Blarney,
Bristol, Bologna,
Bordeaux or Barcelona,
cold weather will always affect me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK
if I live in Bologna, Bordeaux
or Barcelona, I may get more
daytime sunshine, particularly in the winter, but night-time in those countries
will be much colder than Blarney or Bristol!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A British Pensioner is still a British
Pensioner wherever he/she chooses to live within the EU!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">R.B.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">4 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">December 31st 2014</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for this Brian - just read my EDF meter which tells me
that my bill for 2 months will be just under 400€ and it will get even colder
over the next 2 months. I'm 70 and I really do feel the cold more and more with
each passing year. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">5 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">January 5<sup>th</sup> 2015</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Copied from The Anglo-Info forum site for </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Normandy</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I came here in 2005, rushing out
of another European country and settled into rural life with difficulty.
At that stage I had health and a car. I had a major car accident in 2010
followed by cancer in 2011 (from which I am supposed to be in "remission",
it might be stabilising) and am now alone trying to deal with the ridiculous
situation that I am far from anywhere and have nothing to eat and also have
difficulties eating and can't stand being on my own . This has nothing to do
with the local people who on the whole are kind to me, although not really
available to deal with this, but everything to do with me. I see no
solutions to this situation at all. I am known to the local social
services and the local community. The supermarkets are 11 to 18 km away, there
is no-one to take me to it and in any case I have been known to walk into and
out of the local supermarket without buying anything. Also home deliveries are
just about possible but not for the quantities I need. There is one bus a
day from a two km walk to the village to one of the
(moribund) towns. I am at least three hours' drive from anyone who
posts on this site (south of Rouen).
I tried to buy some frozen things with the cleaning lady who gone away for more
than a week now. It is insufficient and I am going hungry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My house is cold. I am
64, taking the cancer drug femara (not chemotherapy) and going mad
here. My doctor is both on strike and doesn't want to know particularly. Also
being "big" going down to a mere 91 kilos recently I have literally
nothing much to wear apart from outsize t shirts which are embarrassingly
like scarecrow stuff on me. I see no solutions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">January 8<sup>th</sup> 2014</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in Burgundy
where winter temperatures vary between minus 10c to minus 20c.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have already had minus 10c and the coldest part of our
winter is yet to come. My husband is 81, a diabetic and had a stroke 6 years’
ago. I am 71 and in good health but I feel the cold badly. It will be a real
hardship for us not to have the winter fuel allowance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are also puzzled by the fact that the UK
has included warmer countries outside France
in the decision to stop our allowance. These countries are not a part of</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
mainland France
and mainland France
is not affected by their weather patterns. We therefore don’t understand the
logic involved in this current decision at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s tantamount to saying that, if India
were still a part of the UK,
that no one in the UK
would be eligible either! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
D.W.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">29 March 2015</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7 -- </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband, ******, is 77 years old, he has mobility
problems, sciatica, asthma, insulin dependent diabetes, heart problems, and has
been fighting cancer for 3 years. I have been his 24/7 carer for the last few
years and still am, how dare the government want to strip us of everything we
are entitled to?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thank you for your support and help on behalf of both of
us</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
with kindest regards<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>L.D.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8 -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>April
19<sup>th</sup> 2015 Two histories passed on by a Charity
supporter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ROLAND</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This gentleman is aged 90. He joined the RN as
Boy Seaman aged 16. Served in an MTB .Sunk
by enemy on D Day.He suffered severe wounds to his stomach. Was nursed back to
health at the RN Hospital Haslar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When discharged became schoolmaster, founding a Language
School in the Belgian
Congo & then teaching in Portsmouth.
On retirement in the 1980's he moved to France.
Divorced . Three female children. One dead, others live ouside UK.
Unable to provide funds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He moved around the Dordogne & South Charente
taking on house sitting jobs or living in rented accomodation. His
capital was diminished by the banking crisis. He became unable to pay his rent.
He was helped by Mrs Susan Patrick until recently, the SSAFA Treasurer for France
. A tower of strength who persuaded his former Masonic Lodge to pay towards his
debts and liaised with the French "Service Publique",who
placed him "sous tutelle" .Therefore his possessions have
been sold & he is now confined in the Maison de Retraite in
Aigre,Charente.His pension is used to pay for his upkeep. I think,but can not
confirm that he has been allowed to keep the Winter Fuel Payment. Which
he will now lose. He does, of course, receive the annual £10 pensioners Xmas
bonus from a grateful British Government!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9 -- </b>PETER.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aged 70 plus. Worked for the Sussex CC restoring
artwork in Brighton Pavillion. Very small pension on early retirement. Lives
here in Creyssac,the village where my wife & I have lived for 20
years. The local GP asked us to keep an eye on him some 7 years ago. We found
him living in total squalor . He was very ill. The Pompiers took
him to Perigueux Hospital.
He was in Intensive Care for a week. He was not registered with the Health
Authority( CPAM ) so the Bordeaux Consulate were informed . They asked us to
help. (There is no longer an Honorary Consul in the North Dordogne)
We contacted Newcastle to obtain
the the UK
state Pension for him.They acted promptly,replying to the request for help by
telephone midday on a Sunday. (Bravo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He lives in a derelict house with no running
water surviving on the two pensions & for the last 2 years the Winter Fuel
Payments that he will now lose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10 -- </b>April 20<sup>th</sup> 2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From a carer who visits an elderly couple.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri";">I carry a
fleece in my car which I put on when I arrive at my client’s house because it
is so cold inside! I pat myself on the back each year when she makes it through
to May again. I buy thermal vests, fleecy dressing gowns & socks for
them for Christmas & birthdays. Her mobility is so bad & the house so
old that I insist they have the heating on 10 months of the year, day
& night (I know they turn it off when I leave & go to bed instead).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11 --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>May 7<sup>th</sup> 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(From Telegraph article by Elizabeth Roberts)
Michael Boyd-Carpenter, 83, a retired stockbroker who lives in the Dordogne,
said that while he has enough money to live on he knows of elderly Britons in
his area struggling to make ends meet. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
One, a man in his 90s, was wounded
in action during the Second World War. His capital was diminished by the
banking crisis and, unable to pay his rent, he now lives in a state care home. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think he has been allowed to keep the
winter fuel payment [so far] but will now lose it,” said Mr Boyd-Carpenter.
“He’s a good example of someone who will suffer. So much for caring for our war
heroes.” </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Another, a man in his 70s, subsists
on a small private pension plus the UK
state pension. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
“He lives in a derelict house with
no running water surviving on the two pensions and, for the last two years, the
winter fuel payments that he will now lose,” said Mr Boyd-Carpenter. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">12</b> --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">August 2<sup>nd</sup>
2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from R.M (</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">France</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I live in L Q a small commune in Dept 22 - The winters here
can be bitterly cold and we do have heavy rain, snow and ice - in the beginning
of December and later on in the New Year. It is most uncomfortable and I
am housebound. We have no facilities eg shops, restaurants, mobile shops here
in the commune. I do not drive and have to organise Transport on
Demand - trips to ……. for shopping (have a friend who lives there) etc. I have
to give two days notice but I try and plan ahead and go shopping monthly.
Here are some pictures of the commune. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have four hot water bottles on standby!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">13 </b>---<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">21/08/2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> – from S.F.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My mother-in-law is 86 and lives here and she
uses the WFA for her logs – it covers about half her winter fuel costs and
she’s in </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">S. Portugal</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">
where we can have frosts for 3 months of the year!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">14
– 25/08/2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #330033; font-size: 9.5pt;">After
appalling surgery in 1977 I was left with a condition which left me able to do
only light work<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(from which I had to
retire even earlier than anticipated) & which exempted me from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all prescription payments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lived in the West Country for 25 years
during which time I experienced that number of winters (including being
snowed-in for 2 weeks) and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to have
fires, boilers, heating appliances in use from October round to the following
May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seem to remember that it was the
West Country that was sighted as the “levelling post” in terms of temperatures
which deemed the cessation of w.f.payments to many<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and which is why I mention the fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was 60 I moved to Sthn </span><span style="background: white; color: #330033; font-size: 9.5pt;">Spain</span><span style="background: white; color: #330033; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for my health which, I have to say, has
improved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still cannot go without indoor warmth in
the winter months here, and living in the foothills of the mountains (but only
220 mtrs above sea level yet I was higher than that in the West Country!) still
requires me to have fires during our winter months for my comfort and
health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should also be recognised
that one´s body becomes acclimatized to the heat of summer and consequently
feels the cold even more so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I buy my
winter fuel supply of burning logs during the summer when they are cheaper, but
one lorry load still costs me €350 so the absence of my winter fuel allowance
is a severe loss to my well-being.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">15 –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">30/08/2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> SM </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing to the MP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hope I can rely on your Support, as you know my circumstances here are not
ideal renting a poorly maintained property, costing me a fortune in heating
bills, €2,700 € in diesel heating fuel from March 2014,and My electricity bill
has recently been increased to €130 pm, I've had to have electric heating
on in evenings these last few days, due to one of my health conditions,
autoimmune Thyroiditis, now turned to Hashimoto's, of which feeling cold
is one symptom. I am now just 68 this month, poor health and dreading the
winter here, but powerless to do anything, except write to you in hopes of
saving my WFA, and say every little helps! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">16 – </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5/09/2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> FM</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are pensioners on a very low State pension of around £800
a month which is about half the suggested amount required to live a comfortable
life here in France.We need to heat our property from September through to May.
The average temperatures here in the Charente are 4.5
degrees during the cold winter months, which are below that of the south of England.
Our house temperature does not go above 20 degrees during the winter and we
have struggled to keep warm in previous winters.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">17<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">15/09/2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Copied from a comment on the AngloInfo
forum</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://loire.angloinfo.com/forum/viewtopic/35950/0/winter-fuel-allowance/18">http://loire.angloinfo.com/forum/viewtopic/35950/0/winter-fuel-allowance/18</a></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can't vote after 15 years so we don't count. Shame
on them I say. As for me, well my husband is suffering from cancer
and last winter we needed the heating on 24/7 because he'd lost so much weight
he couldn't keep warm. That extra bit of cash helped a great deal.
I know it's not a lot, and having it withdrawn won't stop me burning the extra
oil this winter to keep him warm.. But as folks who are below the tax threshold
it did make a difference. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<pre><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">18</b> -<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11 December 2015</b> I am appalled to learn that Ian Duncan Smith has stopped the Winter Fuel Payment for this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>year. 2015- I only got last year’s on 9th March this year which left us in dire straits.</pre>
<pre>I am sitting in the house in a heavy coat typing this as we have NO HEATING and the house is freezing.</pre>
<pre>I cannot remember the exact degrees government say you need to sit in and bedroom a couple of degrees lower but I found in the UK with housing benefit that you could spend whatever you liked on TV and Internet but to keep warm or eat - NO WAY.</pre>
<pre>I am a British citizen and 71yrs old- chronically ill - I get bronchitis which turns to pneumonia- hopefully this year it won't as I have been given a pneumonia vaccine for the first time.</pre>
<pre>My son is only 36yrs old and chronically ill due to being assaulted in the UK and as he suffers with diabetes and epilepsy he feel the cold terribly and is prone to bronchitis.</pre>
<pre>It is ridiculous to say we don't need heat- it is freezing here at the moment and has been like this for a week- rain and dampness to top it all.</pre>
<pre>As the European Court found in our favour surely this is going against EU rules<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></pre>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-70688595027473760952016-02-25T16:21:00.000+01:002016-03-08T17:44:45.455+01:00The effects of a Brexit <b><u> On British Citizens in other States of the European Union.</u></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="moz-forward-container">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b>1.</b> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b>The
effect of a Brexit</b> could be alarming. The following are
possibilities. One cannot say anything is certain - <i>indeed
the uncertainty is the most unsettling aspect.</i></span></span><br />
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i>
</i><i> </i>At root all Britons without dual nationality
would become foreigners in the EU State in which they live. As foreign as Americans, or
Brazilians or from anywhere else.</span></span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
Any </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">protection </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">enjoyed
under EU law would cease.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br />
In consequence for those who are <i>retired </i>- The existing EU regulation
which protects receipt of UK State pensions and benefits would
cease to have effect. [The Winter Fuel Payment ( an OLD_AGE benefit under EU
law) restriction is currently being challenged legally.
Following a Brexit, <i>it could not even be challenged!</i>] - e.g.
potential receipts of attendance allowance or any other social
benefits from the UK would stop. The UK would have the power to
modify the receipt of State pensions in Europe and even freeze them - i.e stop annual increments. Clause 20 of The Pension Act 2014 specifically allows for this (annual rises can be stopped for pensioners resident abroad).</span></span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br />
States have the power to impose any law of their own on 'foreigners' i.e in this case of Brexit, British Citizens,
without constraint from the EU - what laws, for example?
There was a time (pre EU) when France taxed capital being
brought into the country. The current <u><i>challenge</i></u>
brought about by a Dutchman ( M. de Ruyter) which has challenged the imposition
of CSG etc (social taxes) might not apply to the non-EU
citizens. France etc. could impose any law it wished on
non-EU citizen held bank accounts. <br />
Conversely, there was a time when one could take out only a small sum of
money from the UK, the amount was entered in the pages of the passport (M.Thatcher changed that rule). One can
scorn such suggestions, but there would be no protection from
the EU regulations, which would not apply. </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
*******************</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
You could not vote for your local Commune Councillors. One
could not be a commune councillor. [The current system
whereby one cannot vote for any other level of the legislature
would never be changed - If the UK remains in the EU then
such changes could at some time be achieved - <i>but never if
the UK leaves.</i>]</span></span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br />
You could not vote for an MEP. The existing EU law which
entitles you to vote for an English speaking MEP is prevented
for many of us because we have not a VOTE under UK law. [Again
<i> change is very necessary but it will never happen if the UK
leaves.</i>]<br /> </span></span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">At present one can easily order goods from the UK. This
freedom could stop - At present some idiotic organisations in
the UK put difficulties in the way by, for instance, refusing
to honour your credit card. This is contrary to the spirit of
EU regs. <i>It should be changed but it never will if Brexit happened.</i><br />
There would be nothing to prevent the imposition of French
duty on imported goods from the UK.<br />
Again the UK financial institutions are not honouring the EU
regs on freedom of movement of capital and services by not
allowing one to open a UK onshore bank account or investing in
certain accounts and saving opportunities - Again these
activities, <i>although not happening should happen</i> but if Brexit
comes, there is very little chance of it ever getting sorted.
It is another instance of the the UK dragging its heels on EU
matters.</span></span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br />
The inheritance law changes which have come about under EU
rulings, whereby nationals could have they inheritance following the rules of their Nation State. could be scrapped. The UK has shown itself not that
keen on the changes.<br />
****<br />
<i>One would need some form of residency card. </i><br />
<i>Freshly arrived citizens would need to prove they are
financially solvent or they won't get a residency card.</i><br />
<b> </b></span></span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b>The SI system of health support for retired people from the
UK would cease. </b> At the moment every item of medical
treatment for an SI holder which would be paid by the French
State as to a French Citizen is sent to the NHS for
reimbursement. Indeed every centime. Similar rules apply in all EU States. I sought information on
this and had an itemised report on my own treatments sent to
me from London. i.e. it is very likely that this health
support would cease. <i>One might well need full health
insurance cover. Without EU protection all is uncertain.</i><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i> </i></span></span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i>The CPAM Carte Vitale could well be
withdrawn</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> - <i>unless you have paid or are paying
into the system</i>, or been resident for some time, i.e. normally working. At the moment new younger residents [and
early retirees] arriving from the UK get two years grace and
then the Carte vitale is removed if they have not established
themselves in some form.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">It could be that in the case of a Brexit that as one would have been an established permanent resident for a number of years, then one might be accepted for such a reason to continue in the system of the Resident State without the financial support from the UK. That would be expensive for the Resident State Such a State may seek different ways of getting some form of financial compensatory support - who can say?<br /> </span></span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Some form of work permits would be needed for younger people
who seek work or wish to set up their own businesses. Remember
they would be foreigners.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br />
British Students can at present get support to study in EU
universities [The Erasmus Scheme]. That would cease. <br /> </span></span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The passports would need to be changed. Border controls
between the UK and Europe could well be tightened in <i>both</i>
directions.<br />
Then one asks, what be the effect on the many tens of
thousands of French citizens and others living in London and
neighbourhood? That must be worrying them.<br />
<br />
Lastly one asks what nuance of change of attitudes between our
French (or other) neighbours and ourselves could appear? - Who knows -
Think of our children in French schools, or employers of
British Citizens, or the fonctionnaires (civil servants). <br />
<br />
The EU surely needs to change but it is up to us to help the
EU evolve. It won't be possible if Brexit comes about.</span><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">2....I am asked -- <b>Do
I see any advantages for the <i>residents in the UK? </i></b><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">A stability in the population possibly? Even that is far from sure. There would be a hope that pressure on
housing, schools, the NHS might ease.<br />
But when we see pictures of Romanian 'immigrants' working in hop
fields or pulling leeks in Lincolnshire - how many are truly
permanent immigrants? <br />
Looking at the French in London - French schools exist there;
they are young and not so likely to have great demands on the NHS - except
perhaps the maternity services. These are slightly cynical
remarks but the demography of the migrant movements are
different between the nationalities. <br />
It is a most dreadfully complicated situation. I suspect that
for many people, possibly with little understanding. immigration
in Britain is confusing - the Pakistani/Indian influx is
confused with European Romanian influx and the refugee crisis
and the EU gets blame where it is not guilty. Much of the
immigration is the consequences of actions by the UK
Governments. Greater control of about 50% of the migrants is possible because they are not Europeans.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>3. </b>Some claim that under the the terms of the <b>Vienna Convention on International Treaties</b> between States concerning 'Acquired Rights' that all European expats would be protected. BUT-- France has not signed to that treaty, and neither it seems has the EU. The EU is not a State but a co-ordination structure between States of the Union.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here are points of view from two lawyers who have been </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">informally </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">consulted.</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">---How would an acquired right be defined in this context e.g. would
an expat Brit have an acquired and vested right of residency if he/she
had lived three months/three years/five years or longer in the another
EU country? When would reciprocal healthcare rights be acquired and
vested?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">How would you enforce rights under the
Vienna Convention - which courts? Unlike EU law, the Vienna Convention
does not create direct rights that can be invoked by individuals. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The EU regulations are not treaties but co-ordinating measures between States. The Vienna Convention is only concerned with rights acquired under treaties.---</span></div>
</div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> <br />
If the 69,000 retired brits in France (about 450,000 reside in other EU States) returned it would have a
major effect on the UK economy - you can imagine the difficult situation
both for the returnees and certain public services. <br /> </span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I suspect that it is in the interest of the UK economy to
encourage more retired people to leave for Europe, and to
actively foster their support.<br /> </span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Reduction of the freedom of European movement and
of European services will not benefit any existing resident in the
UK - quite the reverse.<br />
The concepts of 'controlling our borders' or 'making our own
laws' is to some degree misleading. The UK makes 83% of its own laws entirely concerned with governance of the UK. The EU Commission makes regulations which
concern the co-ordinated economy and social life of a developing Europe not detailed laws on
the internal management of the UK or any other State.<br /> </span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Internationally minded industrial firms are spreading across the EU - French firms in
Romania - Even French firms in the UK like EDF. A Brexit, could isolate Britain. The stock market values of many European firms are
doing
reasonably well, though wobbling about in the current global economic crisis. O</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">nes which are </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">chiefly UK based are not any better and even oscillating more coarsely. <br /> </span></div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">If Brexit occurred no doubt some sort of patchwork
lawmaking would occur to alleviate the pain for some of us. It could be that if Brexit does not occur, then it is possible that some form of 'closer
union' will occur. The UK might even adopt the Euro
in say 50 years or sooner. But for success, the people will have to take <i>a
much greater interest in electing wise and intelligent politicians (statesmen) to the European parliament and national governments to make it all work. There needs to be a closer dialogue between the citizens and the politicians at European level. Oddly in the UK the close link between the MPs and the citizen, via 'surgeries' is most valuable and tends to be much more vague under the Euopean system of electing 'teams' and 'lists'.</i><br />
Democracy will have to spread much more widely through the
EU migrant and indigenous populations. There are millions who have
migrated around the EU, all EU citizens. Few of them and above all the British citizens
are adequately represented by any government.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Drawbridge Effect --- The Future for others</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">As for future generations of British Citizens wishing to work or live in other EU States, the drawbridge of a Brexit may have been drawn up and they will not be able to avail themselves of the advantages of which some of us had been able to enjoy. Pensioners would be impeded for financial reasons from retiring to live in EU States. Younger citizens would be impeded in seeking work, and even more so in establishing new enterprises or studying in such States.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"></span></div>
<div class="moz-signature">
<div class="Section1">
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<br />
<b>Two years of Grace?</b><br />
There would be two years after a Brexit were announced in which re-organisation is achieved. That suggests that nothing much would occur in that period.<b> </b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-19252116816477599862016-02-25T09:03:00.001+01:002016-02-25T09:03:45.430+01:00EU justice & protection<!--[if !mso]>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">In out shake it all about .... </span></u><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"></span></b><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> </span><b><u><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/">To go to the INDEX click here</a></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; line-height: 115%;">An
article from a correspondent on EU protection for British expatriates in the
EU</span></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6lt2zTV-Ml2P3OJ0dzLwyof4zPvO03-JX421Nhwvs4eNQu47Qw8bzR9-q7tAEJD4h4X1zIo7NYXtQR1BpF-kWEEJDhy6Z53ykEaDKJX7lSFsheDbZQ0f8DMgGcZiEjU9DkXWJJtmkUFh/s1600/Sovereignty.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6lt2zTV-Ml2P3OJ0dzLwyof4zPvO03-JX421Nhwvs4eNQu47Qw8bzR9-q7tAEJD4h4X1zIo7NYXtQR1BpF-kWEEJDhy6Z53ykEaDKJX7lSFsheDbZQ0f8DMgGcZiEjU9DkXWJJtmkUFh/s1600/Sovereignty.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">June
23rd is now the date all eyes are focused upon according to the media in the </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">UK</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A second, (or perhaps a third), 'D' day is
fast approaching for Britain and whether the opposing camps are 'in' or 'out'
the biggest arguments seem twofold, sovereignty and trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 'outers' claim that the </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">UK</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> is
losing too much control and all sovereignty should be repatriated to prevent
further 'interference' from </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Brussels</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">So what is Sovereignty?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is understood in jurisprudence as the
full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without any
interference from outside sources or bodies. In political theory, sovereignty is
a substantive term designating supreme authority over some polity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So is that a good thing I ask myself and is
that really the issue?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Much informed comment will say the EU was
not set up as a trade association and the aims and objectives of the EU seem to
support the view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The founding
principles of the </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Union</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> start
by saying: <i>'The Preamble to the draft Constitutional Treaty is preceded by a
quotation from Thucydides: "Our Constitution (...) is called a democracy
because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the greatest
number".</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><i> </i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Union</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> is
founded, according to the Convention's proposal, on the values of respect for
human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for
human rights. These values, which are set out in Article I-2, are common to the
Member States. Moreover, the societies of the Member States are characterised
by pluralism, tolerance, justice, solidarity and non-discrimination. These
values play an important role, especially in two specific cases. Firstly, under
the procedure for accession set out in Article I-57 any </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">European</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">State</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> wishing
to become a member of the </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Union</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> must
respect these values in order to be considered eligible for admission.
Secondly, failure by a </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Member</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">State</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> to
respect these values may lead to the suspension of that </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Member</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">State</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">'s
rights deriving from membership of the </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Union</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">
(Article I-58).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">So what, you might say, we live in a
democracy and we can vote for people who support our views so why do we need
more bureaucracy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of us who
live in </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Europe</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> the
answer to that is clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved
according to other reciprocal treaties that allowed free movement together with
the right to port benefits gained whilst in employment, (if retired), or other
in work benefits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without those treaties
in place many of us would not have taken the step to live in </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Europe</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those rights are now at risk because the
checks and balances imposed on the </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">UK</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> by
being a member of the EU would be removed and there would be no redress for the
Brit abroad in </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Europe</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">If you think that is not the case then
take a look at what has happened in relation to the winter fuel payments for
pensioners in areas of Europe that the DWP has suddenly decided are too warm in
the winter for pensioners to receive that to which they are entitled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving aside the issue of whether or not WFP
should or should not be paid, the fact is the entitlement is there and it has
been erroneously removed for many in </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Europe</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8swlUM5kblnFELTQKwEe3QkHRgn2BJHnyLUKGlCBQdau8Xmd6jhQT3ilh4m2DFiAnPi4Yu8H7HUJv0Bh-bHfCd-Zq_KtE-XJLgufW3b72Z_AVpC1nkluLIDwGu4r3WwF_KHsn2MdE44ML/s1600/Justice+Scales.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8swlUM5kblnFELTQKwEe3QkHRgn2BJHnyLUKGlCBQdau8Xmd6jhQT3ilh4m2DFiAnPi4Yu8H7HUJv0Bh-bHfCd-Zq_KtE-XJLgufW3b72Z_AVpC1nkluLIDwGu4r3WwF_KHsn2MdE44ML/s1600/Justice+Scales.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">This
decision has been made by the DWP contrary to the treaties signed by the </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">UK</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> and is
currently the subject of a complaint to the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst we still await a ruling on the matter without this safeguard
there would be nowhere for such complaints to be made and the UK government
would have cart blanche to rescind or reduce such benefits that are critical to
the well being of the Brit abroad and to which they are entitled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">UK</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">
government has already indicated that it is looking to rescind the Human Rights
Act and uses spurious arguments that it allows criminals to shelter behind its
protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, what it fails to
make clear is that all citizens are protected by the Human Rights Act and watering
it down would be a retrograde step for all EU citizens.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Likewise the UK government promised in its
manifesto that it would change the fifteen year rule for those of us that are
likely to most affected by a leave vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As yet there is no sign of that promise being fulfilled and every
likelihood that the proposal will run out of parliamentary time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">This demonstrates that to put all our eggs
into one Westminster basket leaves us very vulnerable and that we should all be
fighting for Britain to remain part of Europe to enable us to remain protected
by the existing treaties that allow us to live peacefully in Europe, (it will
also retain those treaties that protect citizens living in the UK.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The fundamental rights are:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">As regards the protection of fundamental
rights, the Convention makes significant advances. Article I-7 of the draft
Constitution reproduces the guarantee of fundamental rights provided in the EU
Treaty and refers to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms and to the constitutional traditions common to the
Member States. This Article also opens the way for the Union to seek formal
accession to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">In addition, the Convention reached a
consensus enabling the Charter of Fundamental Rights, solemnly proclaimed at
the Nice European Council in December 2000, to be included in Part II of the
Convention. <b>The European Union therefore acquires for itself a catalogue of
fundamental rights which will be legally binding not only on the Union, its
institutions, agencies and organs, but also on the Member States as regards the
implementation of Union law.</b> The inclusion of the Charter in the
Constitution does not compromise the division of competences between the Union
and the Member States.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The Charter will be interpreted by the
courts of the Union and the Member States. The Convention has slightly amended
the presentation of the Charter to adapt it to the changes introduced by the
draft Constitution.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The inclusion of the Charter, which
contains additional rights not contained in the European Convention for the
Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, such as workers' social
rights, data protection, bioethics or the right to good administration, makes
it more visible to citizens, who will thus be better informed of their rights.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The foregoing is an extract from the
founding principles of the Union<b> </b>and if<b> </b>there is a 'Brexit' it
will threaten our very existence in Europe and will have serious repercussions
on those of us who have made a life, not on the Isle of Wight, but in mainland
Europe thinking that we were safely covered by the blanket that is the EU.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The throw away comments made by those that
would have us leave are far too elementary, as they only refer to the basic
issues that they want to espouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
fundamental issues for us that have made a life in Europe are those rights
described above that have been fiercely fought for and will be too easily given
away by a 'Brexit'.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The divisions are right across the
political divide and even the government of the day is split on the issue but
those of us down the pecking order will have much more of a voice by remaining
in Europe than we will have if Britain leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That much is very clear.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">--------------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">(<b>Notes:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>The author has no political affiliations
and is therefore not a member of any political party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have lived in France for almost 12 years
with my wife, over ten years of which was in the Tarn in the Midi-Pyrénées.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A move north to the Manche eighteen months
ago was after much soul searching as to whether or not we should return to the
UK because of the gathering storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
decided to stay in France because we love 'la vie en France' and because we can
enjoy a less stressful lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left
school in Dorset whilst still fourteen years of age and went straight into
heavy employment as a fireman on steam engines with British Rail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I later moved to Surrey with the railways but
eventually left to join the police service where I worked until I retired just
before reaching sixty years of age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Never out of work and never claimed any benefits until I received my old
age pension at the age of sixty five years of age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were refused the winter fuel allowance at
age sixty until the EU directive that the UK was acting unlawfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We battled hard unsuccessfully for the back
payments that had been withheld but once again the UK unlawfully refused those
payments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This winter we again find
ourselves without the winter fuel payments because of the spurious and unlawful
temperature test imposed by the DWP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
still pay tax to the UK on my police pension and, just about, retain my vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wife worked as a solicitor as well as raising
our four sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have never wished to
be a burden on France and have never expected nor claimed any benefits from our
host country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you would expect,
having worked in the law for a joint total of almost sixty years we ensured
that our position was sound legally before moving to Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That legal status is now being threatened and
it threatens our very existence here in France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Experience has shown us that the UK government is not to be trusted and
that we need the protections afforded by being part of the EU.)</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-20799703566569351062016-01-07T10:15:00.000+01:002016-01-17T11:13:10.549+01:00Reasons for the European Union<!--[if !mso]>
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<span class="xgavatar"><a href="http://www.survivefrance.com/profile/CarolLaviniaFraser" title="Carol Lavinia Fraser"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a></span><b><u>Reasons for the EU</u></b> by <a href="http://www.survivefrance.com/profile/CarolLaviniaFraser">Carol Lavinia
Fraser</a> (<link) </div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
Carol Fraser wrote the following on the Forum site Survive France Network </div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
She is stating why the EU is important to Britain and thereby the citizens of Britain. I have added some comments in <span style="color: #741b47;">purple.</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">The first two items are so frequently indicated
as reasons why Britain should leave the EU. But they are on a
continental scale what every honourable governing body does from countries to communes. It is a
matter of supporting the less economically developed regions, districts and individuals for the
good of all.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"> </span>1. The UK
puts in £12 billion into the EU. It gets back £6 billion.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
2. Each person pays €195.82 in and receives
€108.75</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">From the developing economic strength of the less economic areas one gets trade. That is what items 3 and 4 are about.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"> </span>3. The free market is worth £227 million in
exports to the UK
- walk away from that?</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
4. The new digital market which is in the
process of being set up is estimated to be worth €451 billion and millions of
new jobs - walk away from that?</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
5. One of the biggest receivers of EU
funding is agriculture. Would our farmers get any funding from a UK
government? Risky. Probably a hike in food prices, we all know they do not need
much excuse to do that.<span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">The beauty of the landscape and the intimacy of
food producers with the consumers (e.g. such as farmers' markets) depend
on subsidies.</span><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
6. Britain
together with the EU is a world leader in the field of science and
technology. This is funded by the EU and includes <span style="color: #741b47;">E</span>uropeans in the
university faculties. This would go!<span style="color: #741b47;"> The EU is encouraging training of British (and other) students across Europe via the <a href="http://www.erasmusprogramme.com/erasmus_scholarships.php">Erasmus programme (which see) </a>- Brexit would probably cut it dead.</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
7. Free trade into one of the biggest
markets in the world. America and China
want the UK to
stay leaders in the market and both have specified they would not be interested
in the UK if it
is out. The car industry has warned Cameron to stay in Europe.
What are the implications of that? The EU has over 50 trade deals
globally which we have access to because we are in. Estimate in lost jobs
2 million.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
8. London
and the city are the world leaders in finance. Implications of an out?
Nobody knows!</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
9. Security. Loss of the European
arrest warrant and cooperation between police and intelligence sources.
Police chiefs are worried about this one. Turn the clock back to 1939 and
Britain stands alone? In the event of an 'out' a border would have to
erected in Ireland
with possible repercussions of kicking off the troubles again. On the
home front the Scots are very unhappy with the possibility of any out and are
threatening another referendum to allow them to stay in the EU. The world
is currently in turmoil and we have the strength of a united Europe
to take comfort from. Winston Churchill said after the war the only way
for there to be lasting peace in Europe was to be
united. How right he was.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
10. Each British subject has the protection
of the European Bill of Human Rights. Cameron said he will rewrite this
into a British constitution. Wow I for one do not TRUST him to do that.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
11. We each have freedom of movement in the
EU and many of the low paid jobs are being done by Europeans, including
Portuguese nurses in the health service. The NHS is graunching <span style="color: #741b47;">(grinding/creaking)</span> now,
what would happen if they had to go home?</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
You might be interested in a conversation on
Facebook I had with UKIP Bury. I put six of the above points and expected
an intelligent reasoned response. What did I get? "Oh Carol you have
been reading propaganda". Right, I thought to ask where he gets his
info, the response "The Daily Express". This being run by a media
billionaire baron who no doubt has his own hidden agenda. I can report
on that it was like talking to cotton wool.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
In conclusion I would recommend you all sign up to
<a href="http://www.britishinfluence.org/">British Influence</a> and get their newsletter. The reports are written by
university professors and political grandees with much knowledge. I would
further recommend you demand answers from UKIP because so far they have
none. To vote 'out' would be to take a giant leap into the unknown.
They glibly state that we can have our own trade deals. Estimated time
to set these up? Years.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
I could go on and I expect you will have guessed
by now I am an ardent european. I live in France
and love it here having been here for 10 years. I do not wish to go home
and I furthermore do not want to see the land of my birth go to the wall.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
****</div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">The European endeavour is in its infancy. It is not perfect as no new venture is perfect. Europe has had two millennia of changes, most of them traumatic. We need now to guide the future, and not stand aside. Britain is one of three great economic powers of Europe along with Germany and France and we three should work together so that the whole does not founder.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-91745856714694815502015-12-20T14:34:00.002+01:002015-12-20T14:34:59.560+01:00Hard up in Europe<!--[if !mso]>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Correspondence on the plight of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>British Pensioners in other E U countries.</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Letters received by <a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/">http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;">Administrator <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Brian Cave – le Fourquet, Gourdon France
46300</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #993300;">Initials of the senders are
given below each mail. All the senders were content to have material publicised
as long as personal details were kept confidential.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Useful links for where to get help</span></b><span style="color: #993300;">.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.britishinfrance.com/b13help.html" target="_blank">http://www.britishinfrance.com/b13help.html</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.cancersupportfrance.org/" target="_blank">http://www.cancersupportfrance.org/</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.armeedusalut.fr/" target="_blank">http://www.armeedusalut.fr/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>---</b> 10/02/2012 20:03 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Evening
Mr Cave.<br />
Just as I was yesterday, I am typing Emails sitting up in bed. I am fully
clothed in three jumpers, two pairs of trousers and a track suit. <br />
My dear husband, similarly dressed, is tucked up beside me. He is
eighty-six, and suffers from epilepsy and a certain amount of mental
confusion.<br />
Outside the temperature is minus 2 degrees, and is expected to fall to minus 10
degrees tonight - a big improvement on the <br />
minus 14 degrees we had last night.<br />
<br />
EDF have decreed that those of us who use the TEMPO system should have ten,
'red days' over the last two frozen weeks, <br />
meaning that those of us who live on the not overgenerous Old Age Pension can
afford to use electricity only very sparingly.<br />
<br />
We retired to bed at three o'clock
this afternoon, when my husband found that crouching over our log-burner became
too much strain<br />
on his back. The only room we can afford to keep warm is our bedroom,
where we can use our electric blanket <br />
plus a paraffin stove for warmth. Our house has an antiquated central
heating system which has broken down - and we can't afford to repair<br />
or replace it. <br />
You will guess that we are, of course, Equitable Life Annuitants. <br />
My husband served his country during the war,and worked all his life thereafter
without claiming a day's unemployment benefit.<br />
He finally retired at seventy, and was actually proud that he had had the
foresight to take out a policy with such a <br />
well respected company.<br />
<br />
Because we loved France,
we exercised our right to move and live, freely, within the E.U., and settled
here in the SW.<br />
We probably should have claimed for the Winter Heating Allowance before we left
UK sixteen
years ago, but at the <br />
time we lived in a centrally heated home, and felt we did not need any extra
allowance.<br />
<br />
We do not expect privileges not granted to other elderly British
Citizens; but are exceedingly bitter that we are excluded<br />
from allowances which are readily available to other Brits.<br />
Please keep up your good work!<br />
Sincerely,<br />
L. W.<span style="color: #993300;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***************************</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2 -- </b>Hello
Brian<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(received 02/04/12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have just read your piece in the Algarve
daily news. I would like to add my comments regards the winter fuel payments.
My husband and I moved to the Algarve
30th Jan.2006 he was 68 I was 60 (earlier in jan that year) we were both
receiving state pensions only, he was also receiving winter fuel payment. He
died in 2008 and the winter of that year I applied to have the winter fuel
payment changed to my name as I was receiving state pension before we moved
here. The DWP refused to give me the allowance as I was not living in the UK
in the qualifying week during November 2006 (10 months after my 60th
birthday)and therefore was not entitled to it. I found this very hard to accept
as I could not find any reference to this rule on the DWP website but there is
nothing I can do about it so I am having to survive on my pension of £5300 per
year. I have several friends here who all get the allowance some who moved here
in their 50's but who have not told the DWP that they moved here so they can
still go back to the UK to get free health treatment and medicines! I find it
very hard since the pound lost so much value in the winter I have to wear extra
clothes and eat lots soups as other foods are too expensive. I would go back to
the UK but I
cannot sell my house here and used up all my savings long ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regards</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
S. R.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>********************</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">15/02/2012</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Like your
correspondent, we moved to </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">France</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> sixteen years ago, the year before the
Winter Fuel Payment was instituted. Since then, we have met many British
expats, most of whom arrived in France more than six years after ourselves, and
they, of course, do receive this allowance. Whilst we do not, of course,
hold this against them; good luck to them - I'm glad they get it. But it is
this blatant discrimination by the British government, resulting in the older,
more frail (and in many cases, poorer) pensioners being the ones to whom this
vital heating allowance is denied and this really upsets me. It beggars
belief and I am absolutely astonished that those in successive governments have
been unable to see this, not to mention their breaking of European rules (as
outlined by the British Expats Association, Spain, and yourself, on many
occasions). </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Like most of our
friends, when we arrived in </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">France</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> aged 60, we were in good health.
However, as we all know, as the years go on, many of us are beset by
various illnesses and the frailty of old age. I have had several
operations and many investigations in hospital for various internal and
ophthalmic problems. My husband had a hip replacement three years ago and
two other operations since then. He was diagnosed with lung cancer a year
ago, for which he is being treated with chemotherapy. He has suffered
horrific and debilitating side effects and I am, of course, at the age of 77,
his only carer. We have no family, either here or in the </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.K.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> There have been improvements as well
as setbacks in the progress of his illness and further chemotherapy is planned.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As you can imagine,
this past year has been extremely hard on both of us and it is only with the
support of the excellent French health professionals as well as the kindness of
our friends and neighbours (both French and British) that we have managed to
cope. We live on a joint pension income of 12,000 pounds sterling per
annum and have to draw on our very modest savings to supplement this.
Because of our low income, we downsized seven years ago to a tiny,
one-bedroomed house which my husband converted from a carpenter's workshop but
his illness and treatment cause him to feel the cold in the extreme and, in
spite of the size of our house, I dread to think what our heating bill will be
this Winter. It is so dreadfully unfair that we and others in our
situation are not allowed to receive the Winter Fuel Payment <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>from the
British government when our compatriots do! And, of course, there is
nothing we can do about it as, having lived in </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">France</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> for more than fifteen years, we are now
disenfranchised as well!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">S.E R.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">****************</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">4 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">December 30<sup>th</sup> 2014</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a 74 year old British Pensioner, I have health problems
- high blood pressure placing me in a high risk category of heart attacks and
strokes, requiring beta blocker medication for the rest of my life; and I’m a
thrombophilia sufferer requiring anti-coagulants for the rest of life, which
thin my blood and make me more vulnerable to extreme temperatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it doesn’t matter whether I live in Blarney,
Bristol, Bologna,
Bordeaux or Barcelona,
cold weather will always affect me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK
if I live in Bologna, Bordeaux
or Barcelona, I may get more
daytime sunshine, particularly in the winter, but night-time in those countries
will be much colder than Blarney or Bristol!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A British Pensioner is still a British
Pensioner wherever he/she chooses to live within the EU!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">R.B.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from emails after Christmas 2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">5 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">December 31st 2014</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for this Brian - just read my EDF meter which tells
me that my bill for 2 months will be just under 400€ and it will get even
colder over the next 2 months. I'm 70 and I really do feel the cold more and
more with each passing year. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A. Email initials with-held</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">January 5<sup>th</sup> 2015</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Copied from The Anglo-Info forum site for </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Normandy</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I came here in 2005, rushing out
of another European country and settled into rural life with difficulty.
At that stage I had health and a car. I had a major car accident in 2010
followed by cancer in 2011 (from which I am supposed to be in
"remission", it might be stabilising) and am now alone trying to deal
with the ridiculous situation that I am far from anywhere and have nothing to
eat and also have difficulties eating and can't stand being on my own . This
has nothing to do with the local people who on the whole are kind to me,
although not really available to deal with this, but everything to do with
me. I see no solutions to this situation at all. I am known to the local
social servIces and the local community. The supermarkets are 11 to 18 km away,
there is no-one to take me to it and in any case I have been known to walk into
and out of the local supermarket without buying anything. Also home deliveries
are just about possible but not for the quantities I need. There is one
bus a day from a two km walk to the village to one of the (moribund) towns.
I am at least three hours' drive from anyone who posts on this site
(south of Rouen). I tried to
buy some frozen things with the cleaning lady who gone away for more than a
week now. It is insufficient and I am going hungry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My house is cold. I am
64, taking the cancer drug femara (not chemotherapy) and going mad
here. My doctor is both on strike and doesn't want to know particularly. Also
being "big" going down to a mere 91 kilos recently I have literally nothing
much to wear apart from outsize t shirts which are embarrassingly like
scarecrow stuff on me. I see no solutions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">7 -- </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">January 8<sup>th</sup> 2014</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in Burgundy
where winter temperatures vary between minus 10c to minus 20c.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have already had minus 10c and the coldest part of our
winter is yet to come. My husband is 81, a diabetic and had a stroke 6 years’
ago. I am 71 and in good health but I feel the cold badly. It will be a real
hardship for us not to have the winter fuel allowance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are also puzzled by the fact that the UK
has included warmer countries outside France
in the decision to stop our allowance. These countries are not a part of</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
mainland France
and mainland France
is not affected by their weather patterns. We therefore don’t understand the
logic involved in this current decision at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s tantamount to saying that, if India
were still a part of the UK,
that no one in the UK
would be eligible either! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
D.W.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8 -- </b>From Cyprus
26 February 2015</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Today LIMASSOL area...we have completed work on a 91 year old’s </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">ceiling BLACK with mould... she needs all the help we
can get... </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">another put in
hospital...YUK to DWP!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mike</span> <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Groves</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sec </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">CPFG</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">CYPRUS</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">29 March 2015</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9 -- </b>My husband
and myself are personal friends of **** and ****<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(we live in the south of France)
and were at the forefront of the battle for DLA/AA/CA
way back in 2006, which the ECJ ruled our entitlement in 2007.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now we are once again fighting for reinstatement of the
Winter Fuel Payment, which David Cameron vowed he would not take away, and have
received a letter from the EU having followed your guidance to lodge a formal
complaint.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the Conservatives are gunning for OAP expats from all
directions, we are very concerned to read this article, once again instigating
a stressful scenario.<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32084722" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32084722</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband, ******, is 77 years old, he has mobility
problems, sciatica, asthma, insulin dependent diabetes, heart problems, and has
been fighting cancer for 3 years. I have been his 24/7 carer for the last few years
and still am, how dare the government want to strip us of everything we are
entitled to?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thank you for your support and help on behalf of both of
us</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
with kindest regards<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>L.D.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10 -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>April
19<sup>th</sup> 2015 Two histories passed on by a Charity
supporter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ROLAND</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This gentleman is aged 90. He joined the RN as
Boy Seaman aged 16. Served in an MTB .Sunk
by enemy on D Day.He suffered severe wounds to his stomach. Was nursed back to
health at the RN Hospital Haslar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When discharged became schoolmaster, founding a Language
School in the Belgian
Congo & then teaching in Portsmouth.
On retirement in the 1980's he moved to France.
Divorced . Three female children. One dead, others live ouside UK.
Unable to provide funds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He moved around the Dordogne & South Charente
taking on house sitting jobs or living in rented accomodation. His
capital was diminished by the banking crisis. He became unable to pay his rent.
He was helped by Mrs Susan Patrick until recently, the SSAFA Treasurer for France
. A tower of strength who persuaded his former Masonic Lodge to pay towards his
debts and liased with the French "Service Publique",who
placed him "sous tutelle" .Therefore his possessions have
been sold & he is now confined in the Maison de Retraite in
Aigre,Charente.His pension is used to pay for his upkeep. I think,but can not
confirm that he has been allowed to keep the Winter Fuel Payment. Which
he will now lose. He does, of course, receive the annual £10 pensioners Xmas
bonus from a grateful British Government!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11 -- </b>PETER.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aged 70 plus. Worked for the Sussex CC restoring
artwork in Brighton Pavillion. Very small pension on early retirement. Lives
here in Creyssac,the village where my wife & I have lived for 20
years. The local GP asked us to keep an eye on him some 7 years ago. We found
him living in total squalor . He was very ill. The Pompiers took
him to Perigueux Hospital.
He was in Intensive Care for a week. He was not registered with the Health
Authority( CPAM ) so the Bordeaux Consulate were informed . They asked us to
help. (There is no longer an Honorary Consul in the North Dordogne)
We contacted Newcastle to obtain
the the UK
state Pension for him.They acted promptly,replying to the request for help by
telephone midday on a Sunday. (Bravo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He lives in a derelict house with no running
water surviving on the two pensions & for the last 2 years the Winter Fuel
Payments that he will now lose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">12 -- </b>April 20<sup>th</sup> 2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From a carer who visits an elderly couple.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri";">I carry a
fleece in my car which I put on when I arrive at my client’s house because it
is so cold inside! I pat myself on the back each year when she makes it through
to May again. I buy thermal vests, fleecy dressing gowns & socks for
them for Christmas & birthdays. Her mobility is so bad & the house so
old that I insist they have the heating on 10 months of the year, day
& night (I know they turn it off when I leave & go to bed instead).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">13 --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>May 7<sup>th</sup> 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(From Telegraph article by Elizabeth Roberts)
Michael Boyd-Carpenter, 83, a retired stockbroker who lives in the Dordogne,
said that while he has enough money to live on he knows of elderly Britons in
his area struggling to make ends meet. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
One, a man in his 90s, was wounded
in action during the Second World War. His capital was diminished by the
banking crisis and, unable to pay his rent, he now lives in a state care home. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think he has been allowed to keep the
winter fuel payment [so far] but will now lose it,” said Mr Boyd-Carpenter.
“He’s a good example of someone who will suffer. So much for caring for our war
heroes.” </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Another, a man in his 70s, subsists
on a small private pension plus the UK
state pension. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
“He lives in a derelict house with
no running water surviving on the two pensions and, for the last two years, the
winter fuel payments that he will now lose,” said Mr Boyd-Carpenter. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">14</b> --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">August 2<sup>nd</sup>
2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from R.M (</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">France</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">)</b></div>
<pre><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I am in receipt of Winter Fuel Allowance until the rulings change and not for the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am almost 69 years old and in receipt of State Pension and War Disability Pension from the Military.</span></b></pre>
<pre><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></b></pre>
<pre><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I live alone and have no central heating in my little house and I feel the cold as my wood burner does not keep me sufficiently warm so I bought two second hand paraffin heaters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have photographs of my feet and hands that the state they are in when we have cold weather,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would it be worth while attaching these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did see my GP but they were not very helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been stocking up warmer clothes in order to keep warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></pre>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<img align="right" height="198" hspace="12" src="file:///C:\Users\Brian\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.jpg" width="280" /><img align="left" height="189" hspace="12" src="file:///C:\Users\Brian\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image004.jpg" width="254" />I live in L Q a small
commune in Dept 22 - The winters here can be bitterly cold and we do have heavy
rain, snow and ice - in the beginning of December and later on in the New
Year. It is most uncomfortable and I am housebound. We have no facilities
eg shops, restaurants, mobile shops here in the commune. I do not drive
and have to organise Transport on Demand - trips to ……. for shopping
(have a friend who lives there) etc. I have to give two days notice but I try
and plan ahead and go shopping monthly. Here are some pictures of the
commune. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have four hot water bottles on standby!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have used my savings to try to make the house warmer eg
new double glazed window, new roof as the old one was always losing tiles as we
have very strong winds throughout the year, attic is insulated with insulation,
new heavy front door, and part of my sous-sol is insulated (have a wooden floor
with cracks etc!!) I was let down my a supplier of wood last year so I
hope this year will be better. A farmer's wife came to the rescue
but I was always worried about having a high electric bill.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
[RM also sent pictures of her feet – blistered and with
corns.]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even my little dog feels the cold and snuggles next to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">15 </b>---<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">21/08/2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> – from S.F.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">My mother-in-law is 86 and lives here and she
uses the WFA for her logs – it covers about half her winter fuel costs and
she’s in </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">S. Portugal</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">
where we can have frosts for 3 months of the year!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">16
– 25/08/2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #330033; font-size: 9.5pt;">After
appalling surgery in 1977 I was left with a condition which left me able to do
only light work<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(from which I had to
retire even earlier than anticipated) & which exempted me from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all prescription payments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lived in the West Country for 25 years
during which time I experienced that number of winters (including being
snowed-in for 2 weeks) and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to have
fires, boilers, heating appliances in use from October round to the following
May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seem to remember that it was the
West Country that was sighted as the “levelling post” in terms of temperatures
which deemed the cessation of w.f.payments to many<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and which is why I mention the fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was 60 I moved to Sthn </span><span style="background: white; color: #330033; font-size: 9.5pt;">Spain</span><span style="background: white; color: #330033; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for my health which, I have to say, has
improved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still cannot go without indoor warmth in
the winter months here, and living in the foothills of the mountains (but only
220 mtrs above sea level yet I was higher than that in the West Country!) still
requires me to have fires during our winter months for my comfort and
health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should also be recognised
that one´s body becomes acclimatized to the heat of summer and consequently
feels the cold even more so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I buy my
winter fuel supply of burning logs during the summer when they are cheaper, but
one lorry load still costs me €350 so the absence of my winter fuel allowance
is a severe loss to my well-being.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">17 –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">30/08/2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> SM </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing to the MP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hope I can rely on your Support, as you know my circumstances here are not
ideal renting a poorly maintained property, costing me a fortune in heating
bills, €2,700 € in diesel heating fuel from March 2014,and My electricity bill
has recently been increased to €130 pm, I've had to have electric heating
on in evenings these last few days, due to one of my health conditions,
autoimmune Thyroiditis, now turned to Hashimoto's, of which feeling cold
is one symptom. I am now just 68 this month, poor health and dreading the
winter here, but powerless to do anything, except write to you in hopes of
saving my WFA, and say every little helps! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">18 – </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5/09/2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> FM</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are pensioners on a very low State pension of around £800
a month which is about half the suggested amount required to live a comfortable
life here in France.We need to heat our property from September through to May.
The average temperatures here in the Charente are 4.5
degrees during the cold winter months, which are below that of the south of England.
Our house temperature does not go above 20 degrees during the winter and we
have struggled to keep warm in previous winters.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">19<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">15/09/2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Copied from a comment on the AngloInfo
forum</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">http://loire.angloinfo.com/forum/viewtopic/35950/0/winter-fuel-allowance/18</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can't vote after 15 years so we don't count. Shame
on them I say. As for me, well my husband is suffering from cancer
and last winter we needed the heating on 24/7 because he'd lost so much weight
he couldn't keep warm. That extra bit of cash helped a great deal.
I know it's not a lot, and having it withdrawn won't stop me burning the extra
oil this winter to keep him warm.. But as folks who are below the tax
threshold it did make a difference. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<pre><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">20</b> -<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11 December 2015</b> I am appalled to learn that Ian Duncan Smith has stopped the Winter Fuel Payment for this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>year. 2015- I only got last year’s on 9th March this year which left us in dire straits.</pre>
<pre>I am sitting in the house in a heavy coat typing this as we have NO HEATING and the house is freezing.</pre>
<pre>I cannot remember the exact degrees government say you need to sit in and bedroom a couple of degrees lower but I found in the UK with housing benefit that you could spend whatever you liked on TV and Internet but to keep warm or eat - NO WAY.</pre>
<pre>I am a British citizen and 71yrs old- chronically ill - I get bronchitis which turns to pneumonia- hopefully this year it won't as I have been given a pneumonia vaccine for the first time.</pre>
<pre>My son is only 36yrs old and chronically ill due to being assaulted in the UK and as he suffers with diabetes and epilepsy he feel the cold terribly and is prone to bronchitis.</pre>
<pre>It is ridiculous to say we don't need heat- it is freezing here at the moment and has been like this for a week- rain and dampness to top it all.</pre>
<pre>As the European Court found in our favour surely this is going against EU rules<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></pre>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-78614159525607607492015-12-20T14:34:00.000+01:002015-12-20T14:34:00.432+01:00Lies - Damned lies - and the DWP Staements of the Winter Fuel Payment<br />
Keep abreast with this link.<br />
It changes as new information comes in. There is considerable evidence that the DWP and IDS have deliberately had a campaign to knock the British Citizens who have only tried to live decent and honorable lives by retiring abroad.<br />
<br />
http://www.winterfuelpayment.info/Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-22793431469057575122015-11-11T09:30:00.000+01:002015-11-11T09:30:28.640+01:00The Referendum Bill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcrhiU5HDGoH4JEBMJiskrkJNuH5no7kX-2TnQaaxGH-AKSwaFf_YwRFaBDXwfvmyLhKJ8e8_0EZSbPTNMFdK_OACdzP8dD37LBOv5nosJNS1TW02dI6p2A_H2i2T1nKTSr02__4FNYmh/s1600/Harry+Shindler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcrhiU5HDGoH4JEBMJiskrkJNuH5no7kX-2TnQaaxGH-AKSwaFf_YwRFaBDXwfvmyLhKJ8e8_0EZSbPTNMFdK_OACdzP8dD37LBOv5nosJNS1TW02dI6p2A_H2i2T1nKTSr02__4FNYmh/s200/Harry+Shindler.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #330033;"></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #330033;">Harry
Shindler writes --- </span><i style="color: #330033;">If
there is an 'out' vote, then it will affect personally every
expat and every expat family. It's very serious indeed. LETS
GET ALL OUR EX-PATS INVOLVED. We must win the right to vote
in the Referendum - it's up to us all .... as the man* said
"Never Tire - Never Weary". *Winston Churchill<br />
</i></span>
<div align="right">
<i> </i></div>
<div align="right">
<i> </i></div>
<div align="right">
<i>For those who live far from Europe the vote may
yet affect you - Please support.</i><span style="font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13px;"></span></div>
<div align="right">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #330033;"> </span>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Referendum Bill<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Update</span></u></b><span style="color: #330033;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Lobbying has already had an impact: see here<b> ITV's
report on the debate during committee stage on 2 Nov:---<br />
</b><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.itv.com/news/2015-11-02/lords-argue-five-million-brits-living-abroad-should-get-a-vote-in-the-eu-referendum/">http://www.itv.com/news/2015-11-02/lords-argue-five-million-brits-living-abroad-should-get-a-vote-in-the-eu-referendum/</a>
and also the report on the debate below this email.
However, we need to keep up the pressure!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1. <span style="color: #993300;">The Report Stage</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> takes place in the House of Lords
from Wed 18 November. Baroness Miller (Lib Dem) will
introduce an amendment to give all <b>British Citizens in the
EU </b>a vote in the Referendum. Those resident outside the
EU will not be included as this is unlikely to be accepted.
When Baroness Miller presents her amendment, it is likely
that the Government will tell (whip) its members not to vote
for it, and may even urge them to vote against it. Labour
might also whip against it. Baroness Miller's amendment is
thus likely to fail unless Labour & Conservative peers are
persuaded otherwise by our lobbying. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">2. </span><span style="color: #993300;">Keep Lobbying Peers please</span><span style="color: #330033;">. </span></b><span style="color: #330033;">As mentioned previously, peers' email
addresses can be found at <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/lords/">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/lords/</a>.
They are often given as a general <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:contactholmember@parliament.uk">contactholmember@parliament.uk</a>
</span><span style="color: black;">Individual mail addresses
are usually (but not always) the surname with an added
initial. </span><span style="color: #330033;">Thus for example,
Baroness Altmann is <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:altmannr@parliament.uk">altmannr@parliament.uk</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">3. </span></b><b><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 10.0pt;">Which
peer should you contact?</span></b><b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">Some advice from
Baroness Miller follows.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">Baroness Miller urges
-----</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“The
essential thing now is to get all your friends and family
to lobby members of the House of Lords - either ones they
know, or just pick someone, but choose people who didn’t
speak, rather than those who are already on board. We
suggest especially writing to Baroness Anelay (Con) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: #0056d6;"><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:contactholmember@parliament.uk">contactholmember@parliament.uk</a>,
or </span><a href="mailto:anelayj@parliament.uk">anelayj@parliament.uk</a><span style="color: #0056d6;"> </span><b><span style="color: #232323;">who is in charge of this bill in
the Lords."</span></b></span></i><b><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">NB</span></b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;"> absolutely essential
that a mail to Baroness Anelay is of a very personalised
nature - if not, the clerks will bin it. Read more in the
article from The Connexion >>>> :<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://goo.gl/IKPm8y">http://goo.gl/IKPm8y</a></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">Lord Faulks</span></b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Conservative
spokesman) spoke against for the government - a personalised
and well argued letter to him would also be useful (note that
he is a barrister by training).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">Baroness Morgan</span></b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Labour spokesperson)
clearly needs persuasion. Labour does not support the repeal
of the 15 year rule in general but it is worth trying to make
the argument that the EU referendum is a distinct case as
expats are directly affected. Labour supports the franchise
in the EU referendum for 16-17 year olds and has referred to
the impact it will have on their futures. Her email address
is <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:morganeluned@parliament.uk">morganeluned@parliament.uk</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">Please check Hansard
below to see who did speak in favour - so that you can then
target those peers who did not speak.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">4. </span></b><b><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 10.0pt;">How to write?</span></b><b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">A personalised letter
is preferable but here is an example for inspiration. </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">Dear
[Lord] [B/ness] xxxxx</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">I
have lived outside the </span><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">UK</span><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;"> in [country or
countries] for xx years. As a result I can no longer vote in
British general elections and currently would not be able to
vote in the EU referendum, although I will be seriously
affected [both] personally [and professionally] by its
outcome. Thus the outcome of the referendum is naturally very
important to me. Please vote in favour of any amendment at
the Report Stage of the Referendum Bill tabled by Baroness
Miller to give me the vote.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #330033; font-size: 10.0pt;">********************</span></div>
<div align="center">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="color: #330033;">Hansard
report on the Committee Stage of the Referendum Bill 2<sup>nd</sup> November
2015</span></u></b><span style="color: #330033;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">During
Committee Stage, two amendments were proposed by Lord Hannay
(cross bench) and B/ness Miller (LD). A good deal of
cross-party consensus seemed to be building during the debate.
Only Lord Trenchard spoke against, while Lords Dobbs was
ambivalent. He was for the principle but raised the practical
difficulties. It was also not entirely clear whether Lord
Grocott was supportive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fourteen members of the Lords spoke firmly
for the proposals:-</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
[<b>Cons</b> -Lexden, Spicer, Hamilton,
Flight, Bowness, Tugendhat, Garel-Jones; <b>Lab</b> -Royall,
Liddle, Anderson; <b>LD </b>- Wallace, Tyler, Shipley; <b>Cross-Bench</b> -
Green</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, B/ness Morgan of Ely's
statement set out Labour's official view as being against repeal
of the 15 year rule, and Lord Faulks [<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:contactholmember@parliament.uk">contactholmember@parliament.uk</a>],
speaking
for the Government was also quite clearly against. The full
debate can be found at:- </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201516/ldhansrd/text/151102-0001.htm#1511026000394">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201516/ldhansrd/text/151102-0001.htm#1511026000394</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #330033; font-size: 8.5pt;">Starting
at Column 1409 at </span><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">3.09 p.m.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brian
Cave<span class="apple-tab-span"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;">
</span></span>Jane Golding</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="moz-signature">
<span lang="NL" style="color: green; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"></span>
<div class="Section1">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-61779268453809959452015-10-14T17:14:00.000+02:002015-10-14T17:14:22.703+02:00The Referendum Bill<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">October
13<sup>th</sup> 2015</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> the 2<sup>nd</sup> reading of the
Bill was debated in the House of Lords.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Many members spoke about the lack of
a democratic voice for those who have lived beyond the </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> for more than 15 years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Relevant extracts are included in
this *** digest ***.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.lefourquet.net/HOL-13-10-15.doc">www.lefourquet.net/HOL-13-10-15.doc</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Read what Lord Shipley said</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">If we left the EU, work permits could
return, more people could have to apply for skilled migrant
visas, reciprocal health schemes could be reduced, the
operation of UK state pensions could be affected and the
general ease of mobility for UK citizens across the EU would
become much more complicated and uncertain. I wonder whether
the Government have calculated the impact if large numbers
of </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">UK</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">
citizens decided to return to the </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">UK</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">
in the event of our exit from the EU.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The full Hansard report is here</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201516/ldhansrd/text/151013-0001.htm#15101360000463">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201516/ldhansrd/text/151013-0001.htm#15101360000463</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Liberal Democrat Party intend at the Committee stage to
introduce an amendment to widen the franchise (the voting) to
include at least </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">ALL</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> British Citizens in </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Europe</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
concept was supported by at least some members of all parties.
Baroness Royall, who was in the last parliament leader of the
Labour Party in the House of Lords, approved.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Neil Kinnock (Lab) -</span>at one
time leader of the Labour Party-<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">
and Paddy Ashdown(LD) - <small>similarly a previous leader of
the LibDems</small>- have said that they will vote for any
such amendment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord
Lexden (Cons) has pushed for the life-time vote for years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Lib Dem announcement on this is
here……………..</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://uklibdems.eu/en/article/2015/1115459/lib-dems-fight-for-expat-votes-at-eu-referendum">http://uklibdems.eu/en/article/2015/1115459/lib-dems-fight-for-expat-votes-at-eu-referendum</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<u> </u>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 14.0pt;">Those in
countries beyond the EU</span></i></b></u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> who receive this item should grasp
the thought that voting rights will add force to the claim for
pension parity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
may not get the vote in this amendment, but if they lobby for
support for this amendment – it should hasten the
Votes-for-Life Bill.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">After that may well follow a true and
full representation of the Citizens abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But moreover you may want
to live in </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">France</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> or </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Italy</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> later on or may be your family will
– Remember all British Citizens are also European Citizens.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What should be done now…. Lobby a
likely Lord!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In the following link you will see
lists of the members of the House of Lords.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/lords/">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/lords/</a></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It can be difficult choosing which
member or members to contact – By scanning down the list you
can see names who you feel may be supportive e.g. Bakewell,
Blunkett, Boothroyd etc.. and you can see also how active they
have been as members. Lobby those who have not spoken in the
***digest*** above.<br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>In
sending a mail please modify the following - This is important
because the HoL clearing room for emails will not forward
perceived identical mails - nor multiple addressed copies of
mails.</b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>
</b></i></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>So
personalise it.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Dear (enter the
members name),</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 14.0pt;"><u><b>The Referendum
Bill</b></u></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do please support the
amendment which will be placed at Committee Stage to ensure
that British Citizens abroad who have lost their right to
vote and have a sincere interest in the outcome of the
Referendum can have a voice in this Referendum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that
leading members of all Parties intend to vote for it
including members Kinnock, Ashdown, Lexden and others such
as Royall, and many Liberal Democrats and also cross-bench
Peers.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 14.0pt;">Extracts from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hansard of the debate
on October 13<sup>th</sup> can be read here </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 14.0pt;">www/lefourquet.net/HOL-13-10-15.doc<br />
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Obviously you can invent
your own letter or add material to this one. And when you
get a good response do please acknowledge.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: ECSquareSansProMedium; mso-bidi-font-family: ECSquareSansProMedium; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">FOR those (all British Citizens) who are also
European Citizens – this should interest you….. </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f47021; font-family: ECSquareSansProMedium; mso-bidi-font-family: ECSquareSansProMedium; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/EUCitizenship">https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/EUCitizenship</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f47021; font-family: ECSquareSansProMedium; mso-bidi-font-family: ECSquareSansProMedium; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">To Register<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to
vote (if less than 15 years abroad)
--https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote</span><span style="color: #f47021; font-family: ECSquareSansProMedium; mso-bidi-font-family: ECSquareSansProMedium; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-3802346099094301432015-10-02T10:25:00.000+02:002015-10-02T10:25:06.439+02:00An Upgrade for British State Pensioners.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Important News for </span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">British</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">State</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Pensioners.</span></u></b></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pensioners who were born before </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">6
April 1951</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">
(</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">6 April 1953</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> for women) now have a limited period in which to
boost their
entitlement to their current state pension. They will be able
to buy
extra entitlements to their state pension of up to £1300 a
year, for life. This
will be achieved by making a lump sum payment in the form of
voluntary class 3A
NIC, between </span><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">12 October 2015</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> and </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">5 April 2017</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><i>. </i></b></span></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The exact amount that needs to be
paid to receive each
extra £1 per week of pension depends on the individual’s age
at the time they
make the payment. There is a table on page 5 of the state
pension top-up
factsheet, and an online calculator on Gov.uk to help with
this calculation. </span></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The ability to top-up the state
pension may be
particularly useful for women who have taken breaks from
employment during
their working lives, and for the self-employed with similarly
patchy NIC
records. Married couples will need to decide which person
should make the
top-up payment, as an income will be paid to a surviving
spouse (or civil
partner) of at least 50% of the topped-up amount. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Note the paragraph about customers
(they mean
pensioners) living overseas on page 3 of the factsheet.</span></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">State pension
top-up factsheet</span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/414708/factsheet-top-up.pdf">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/414708/factsheet-top-up.pdf</a></i></span></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">State pension
top-up calculator for class 3A contributions </span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-topup">https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-topup</a></i></span></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The first
condition for the
top-up is that the pensioner must already be in receipt of a
</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> state retirement pension.<br /> <span style="color: #990000;"><i>To
register an interest: </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">email: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:paid.caxtonhouse@dwp.gsi.gov.uk">paid.caxtonhouse@dwp.gsi.gov.uk</a>
or<br />
tel: 0345 6004270<br />
<br />
It will be important to register an interest as there will be
no doubt an
online system to make the payment that may require a person to
prove identity.
That might be more tricky for someone who lives outside of the
</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">UK</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">. <br />
</span></div>
<div class="msonospacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
[Example
- A male at the age of 83 could pay £11,350. IF he lives 15
years he would receive back a total of £19,500 plus inflation
increases on top. <br />
If his wife lives on, she would continue to receive at least 50%
of the sum.<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <small>The lump
sum payable goes down as one ages and is also related to
one's sex.]</small></span><small><br />
</small><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><br />
Brian
Cave</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><br />
</span><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">le Fourquet, Gourdon,
46300, France</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR" style="color: #ff6600; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/"><span lang="NL" style="color: #ff6600; mso-ansi-language: NL;">http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/</span></a></span><span lang="NL" style="color: #ff6600; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"></span></div>
<span lang="NL" style="mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">-</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Votes
for
Britons<span style="color: green;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>-</span></span><span style="color: #cc6600;"><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://votes-for-expat-brits.com/">http://votes-for-expat-brits.com</a></span><span lang="NL" style="color: green; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>
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<br /></div>
<div class="moz-signature">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-41916566436682563952015-09-16T17:22:00.002+02:002015-09-17T09:08:35.629+02:00The BREXIT, the VOTE and you.<div style="text-align: right;">
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</xml><![endif]--><br /><i><span style="background-color: purple;"><span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: orange;">to go to the Index click here</span></a></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I was sent a copy of an article
in the September edition of The Central Brittany Journal (www.thecbj.com) by
James Bell – “So what happens if Britain
leaves the EU?”</div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After the Corbyn election as
leader of the Labour Party, and the migrant crisis which is seriously affecting
sentiment in the UK,
the verdict in the Referendum becomes yet more problematic. The pendulum of the
decision is swinging violently.</div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A large number of British
Citizens in Europe (i.e. the EU) <b><i>and elsewhere</i></b> close their brains, and
do not want to think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the
tendrils of the British State
affect all British Citizens – the so-called expats wherever they live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dislike the word ‘expat’. It is too often
misspelled expat<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">riot</i> which indicates
a rejection of links with one’s homeland. The word expatriate simply indicates
that one lives outside of the borders of the homeland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But few of us would be living in France
if it were not for the treaties signed between the UK
and the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James Bell observes that
there are as many French living in SE England as Brits
living in France.
A ‘Brexit’ would affect both. The French in the UK
are financially dependent on the UK,
being young and active. But the Brits in France
include a large contingent of pensioners (>63,000) also financially
dependent on the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We expect the British Government to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>‘act
in our name and in our interest’</u></i></b> when treaties and laws are
framed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How the hell can they do that
when there is no adequate representation of our interests in the Westminster
parliament?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If you do write to an MP they
generally pass your message to some Department which replies with a garbage
repetition of policy which gets sent back to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is impossible to change policy unless some
dedicated politician has YOUR interest at heart. Most care not a fig.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
By default, the Westminster
politicians, in effect directed by the Whitehall
bureaucrats act as they see it – ‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in the
interest of the Nation!</b>’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What, one
asks! is this <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Is it the rivers, the hills, the towns
and villages? Or is it the people, the men women and children who have an
affinity with the State of Britain – The British People – wherever they live.
Those of British nationality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The affair of the Winter Fuel
Payment is just one example of how the bureaucracy has become twisted to not
care for the British citizen, but for the British treasury. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Balancing the books is essential, but it must
be achieved in the fairest manner without discrimination. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The State pension affair is a further
deplorable instance, where it is frozen for those who desire to live with their
children in Australia and could well be frozen for us in Europe if the Brexit
should arise [Corbyn is against the freezing!].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Health support is part of the treaties for the British pensioner in France
and other EU countries. [see EU regulation 883/2004 on social security].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That could collapse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If Brexit came about, we would be
foreigners in Europe and no longer EU citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That could open ways for the French
State to invent other impositions –
An uncertain world would lie before us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That is why we need
Representation at Westminster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For many of us who have lived outside the UK
for more than 15 years we have not a chance of getting our voice heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who left the UK
more recently you can vote.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The VOTE is not full
‘representation’. For that a reform of parliament is necessary. The total
number of MPs need to be reduced, but in that re-organisation some space must
be found for a few MPs who understand the life of the citizens abroad in the
same manner as have the French and the Italians. They, who are resident in England,
all have political representation in Paris
or Rome! </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But for now – our voice, such as
it is, must be heard loud and clear in London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must vote to stay in the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are amongst us turkeys who would vote
for the Christmas carve up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
younger as well as the older citizens will suffer uncertain times if the UK
leaves the EU.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Mr. Cameron has promised us the
VOTE-for-LIFE this session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still await that Bill to be tabled for
debate. There are MPs who will say that we do not need it, do not want it, and
that it is ‘inappropriate’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We certainly
need it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need it as a first step to
full representation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If you register to vote NOW,
you will have a vote to stay in the EU. You will also be able to vote in the
next general election.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may get the
right to challenge any position of the Government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There are those who say ‘I do not
want to vote for a UK
MP, I want to vote for a French député’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is a strong argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
why does it have to be an either/or choice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst you remain British the tendrils of the British bureaucracy
stretch towards you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to have a
say in any treaty obligation that affects you. You need the chance to express
your views to Government about anything that affects you as a British Citizen
beyond the shores of the UK.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
To claim your right to vote go to
this link. It takes 5 minutes to complete it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote">https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And when you have an MP – keep
him/her occupied and argue with them by mail.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You could send them this item.<br />
<a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/</a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-42935658574567362842015-08-28T21:30:00.002+02:002015-08-30T10:36:02.770+02:00The Winter Fuel payment - What one must do now.<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/">To go to the index click here</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievZbmEl6AoUhUa26QRlYzG57mLljTRIeetmNUws2_xfNstvxvQMF-SGDdEKtj6Ddewe9USeKfZb9hZ04a4-myvOWbPkgLvB0Y3lqf37Tp3F2ho-BYwTbMlGuxUjegIe1ZdpSXSa3zVYCy/s1600/Frank+Field+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievZbmEl6AoUhUa26QRlYzG57mLljTRIeetmNUws2_xfNstvxvQMF-SGDdEKtj6Ddewe9USeKfZb9hZ04a4-myvOWbPkgLvB0Y3lqf37Tp3F2ho-BYwTbMlGuxUjegIe1ZdpSXSa3zVYCy/s1600/Frank+Field+.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">Mr Frank Field MP DL, Chairman of the Select Committee for Work and Pensions has replied to me, and he says.....</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">The Committee has no plans, at present, to investigate the specific matter you raise but <u>I am always open to suggestions from colleagues</u>. Might I suggest, therefore, that any friends or relatives of yours living in the UK should <u>ask their local MP to take up this matter in the House?</u></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span class="yiv7580911887"><span style="color: black;">This
seems encouraging – it is then absolutely necessary to persuade
individual MPs to write to Mr. Field, and through him to the Select
Committee, requesting the Committee to include in their investigations
the issue of the unnecessary hardship to be caused by the selective
withdrawal of the WFP in September. Encourage Friends and Relatives
resident in the UK to do so also, for the sake of those less fortunate
than yourselves, and in the cause of fairness and honesty.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Suggested wording of a letter to your MP:</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;">*********************************************</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black;">To XXXXX MP.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black;">Subject – WINTER FUEL PAYMENT.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black;">Dear
------------------ I, as a constituent, request that you write to
Frank Field MP, Chairman of the Select Committee for Work &
Pensions, on the basis of the following information:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black;">From
this September under the Statutory Instrument 3270 of 2014 introduced
by Iain Duncan Smith as Secretary of State for the DWP, this benefit
[WFP] is to be withdrawn from elderly British Citizens in 6 countries
and one British dependency in the EU (below referred as 7 'countries').</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">The
DWP is claiming that the withdrawal is justified by invoking a
temperature check on these 7 'countries', in comparison with SW England
but:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600;">*</span></b><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="color: black;">There are many elderly British Citizens living in these 7 'countries' who are in need of the WFP. Visit <a href="http://www.lefourquet.net/Hardup-dossier.doc">www.lefourquet.net/Hardup-dossier.doc</a> to read of some 17 of these citizens. It is apparent that they are discriminated against by the operation of SI 3270. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600;">*</span></b><span style="color: black;"> 35 MPs signed the EDM 695 last year ‘praying’ that the SI 3270 be annulled. (11-Con- 12 Lab – 8 LD – 2 SNP – 1 Gr – 1 Ind.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600;">*</span></b><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="color: black;">There
is evidence that these temperature checks have been falsely calculated,
for example they include in the case of France, temperatures of
Caribbean and Indian Ocean territories which are French possessions, but
are not France. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600;">*</span></b><span style="color: black;">
It is further clear that the fact that winter temperatures in many
districts of France and even Spain fall well below those in SW England.-
Spain, Cyprus, Portugal (Estrela) and of course France. e.g. all have
tourist ski resorts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600;">*</span></b><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="color: black;">Furthermore, winter temperatures in these countries all fall below that which require home heating to maintain health.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">In addition, <span class="yiv7580911887">this is contrary to <b>EU Regulation 883/2004</b> ---- Article 7 which states:<b> </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span class="yiv7580911887"><b><span style="color: #993300;">Waiving of residence rules:</span></b></span><span style="color: #993300;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span class="yiv7580911887"><b><i><span style="color: #993300;">Unless
otherwise provided for by this Regulation, cash benefits payable under
the legislation of one or more Member States or under this Regulation <u>shall not be subject to any reduction, amendment, suspension, withdrawal or confiscation</u>
on account of the fact that the beneficiary or the members of his
family reside in a Member State other than that in which the institution
responsible for providing benefits is situated.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black;">Could
you please write to Frank Field MP DL .. within Parliament requesting
that the Select Committee for Work & Pensions considers in their
investigations, the hardship to be caused by selective withdrawal of
the WFP from certain British pensioners resident within the EU in
September.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;">****************************************</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Please
copy all the above between the lines of ******* and send to your
MP. You may of course add any extra material relating to yourself or
your family and friends affected by this matter.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">And as Frank Field MP suggests, encourage all your friends and relatives in the UK to do likewise.</span></b></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Find email and other addresses of MPs here .... <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-12689136449311808282015-05-07T15:01:00.001+02:002015-05-07T15:01:12.013+02:00The UK is Wrong to stop me voting<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Within the last <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>few days (May 7th 2015) I have received
copies of complaints from
people about the non-reception of voting papers from as far
apart as California,
Massachusetts, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norway,
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and of course France
and Spain.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The forum site SFN
is loaded with more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
do people want
to vote? The passion to do so is clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
so many politicians in the UK
and so many residents <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">there</i>
say ‘You
have left the country – you don’t deserve to vote.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A number of those
who write to me
are young and clearly intelligent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They
have the desire to see that Britain
is a country of which they can be proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oddly that archaic institution, The Royal Family, is the
focus of so
much of this pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a
dinner of
expats the other day, most of whom could not vote because like
me we left the
UK over 15 years ago, the meal was interrupted with the cry
‘It’s a girl!’ and
glasses were raised to Kate and her baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why cannot the idiots at home realise that we, the
citizens abroad, are
all ambassadors of the British Nation! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is we who foster the good will of the country. The ‘country?’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whatever that i</i>s –
arises from the
stupid confusion in the use of words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are not a country – hills and towns, a little offshore set of
islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are a Nation
- a people of a common culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just as the French are a Nation with a shared
culture. And as the French passionately hold onto that culture
wherever they
live so do the British.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever
a
Nation’s Government does in the world affects each and every
citizen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Government
acts in the name of ALL
the citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
today no longer ‘subjects’
of that Royal Institution that we so much respect but ‘citizens’
with a shared
interest in the welfare of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>us
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Naturally, many of
us have
material interests for why citizens abroad want a say in the
development of the
UK.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of us, young and
retired, may wish or need
to return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need a
sound NHS and all
the social support systems to be good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For many, our income is based in the UK.
Many are taxed in the UK.
Most of us, of all ages, have family at ‘home’ and we have a
care for them, for
their welfare and education. Our lives depend on treaties
between the States –
A BREXIT could be a disaster.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For all these
reasons we desire
the vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But do you get
the impression,
as I do, that most Parties seek power for their own interest
rather than the
interest of the voter?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I hope that is a
false impression,
we need the Party in power to act with thoughts for the citizens
everywhere.
Yet have you heard any of them during this campaign utter a word
of concern for
the Citizen abroad? – We may be expatriates (out of the
homeland), but by no
means are we ex-patriots. </div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<i>Brian Cave, a leading campaigner in the team for UK expat rights whose website is <a href="http://www.votes-for-expat-brits.com/" target="_blank">www.votes-for-expat-brits.com</a>, explains why it is important to him to be able to vote even though he has lived abroad for many years</i>
<br />
<br />WITHIN the last few days I have received copies of complaints from
people about the non-reception of voting papers from as far apart as
California, Massachusetts, Norway and, of course, France and Spain.
<br />
<br /><em>The Connexion</em> and expat forums have had even more.
<br />
<br />So, why do people who no longer live in the UK still want to vote?
The passion to do so is clear. Yet so many politicians in the UK and so
many residents there say “You have left the country – you don’t deserve
to vote.”
<br />
<br />A number of those who write to me are young and clearly intelligent.
They have the desire to see that Britain is a country of which they can
be proud. Oddly, that archaic institution the Royal Family is the focus
of so much of this pride.
<br />
<br />At a recent dinner of expats, most of whom could not vote because
like me we left the UK over 15 years ago, the meal was interrupted with
the cry ‘It’s a girl!’ and glasses were raised to Kate and her baby.
<br />
<br />Why cannot those at home realise that we, the citizens abroad, are
all ambassadors of the British nation? It is we who foster the goodwill
of the country.
<br />
<br />The ‘country?’ - whatever that is. We are not a country – hills and
towns, a little offshore set of islands. We are a nation - a people of a
common culture. Just as the French are a nation with a shared culture.
And as the French passionately hold on to that culture wherever they
live so do the British.
<br />
<br />Whatever a nation’s government does in the world affects each and
every citizen. The government acts in the name of ALL the citizens.
<br />
<br />We are today no longer ‘subjects’ of that Royal Institution that we
so much respect but ‘citizens’ with a shared interest in the welfare of
us all.
<br />
<br />Naturally, many of us have material interests as to why citizens
abroad want a say in the development of the UK. All of us, young and
retired, may wish or need to return.
<br />
<br />We need a sound NHS and for all the social support systems to be
good. For many, our income is based in the UK. Many are taxed in the
UK.
<br />
<br />Most of us, of all ages, have family at ‘home’ and we care for them,
for their welfare and education. Our lives depend on treaties between
the States – a BREXIT could be a disaster.
<br />
<br />For all these reasons we desire the vote. But do you get the
impression, as I do, that most parties seek power for their own interest
rather than the interest of the voter?
<br />
<br />I hope that is a false impression, we need the party in power to act with thoughts for the citizens everywhere.
<br />
<br />Yet have you heard any of them during this campaign utter a word of concern for the citizen abroad?
<br />
<br />We may be expatriates (‘out of the homeland’), but by no means are we ex-patriots.
<br />
- See more at:
http://www.connexionfrance.com/campaigner-Brian-Cave-expat-rights-vote-election-16926-view-article.html#sthash.Ebi4IyaW.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<i>Brian Cave, a leading campaigner in the team for UK expat rights whose website is <a href="http://www.votes-for-expat-brits.com/" target="_blank">www.votes-for-expat-brits.com</a>, explains why it is important to him to be able to vote even though he has lived abroad for many years</i>
<br />
<br />WITHIN the last few days I have received copies of complaints from
people about the non-reception of voting papers from as far apart as
California, Massachusetts, Norway and, of course, France and Spain.
<br />
<br /><em>The Connexion</em> and expat forums have had even more.
<br />
<br />So, why do people who no longer live in the UK still want to vote?
The passion to do so is clear. Yet so many politicians in the UK and so
many residents there say “You have left the country – you don’t deserve
to vote.”
<br />
<br />A number of those who write to me are young and clearly intelligent.
They have the desire to see that Britain is a country of which they can
be proud. Oddly, that archaic institution the Royal Family is the focus
of so much of this pride.
<br />
<br />At a recent dinner of expats, most of whom could not vote because
like me we left the UK over 15 years ago, the meal was interrupted with
the cry ‘It’s a girl!’ and glasses were raised to Kate and her baby.
<br />
<br />Why cannot those at home realise that we, the citizens abroad, are
all ambassadors of the British nation? It is we who foster the goodwill
of the country.
<br />
<br />The ‘country?’ - whatever that is. We are not a country – hills and
towns, a little offshore set of islands. We are a nation - a people of a
common culture. Just as the French are a nation with a shared culture.
And as the French passionately hold on to that culture wherever they
live so do the British.
<br />
<br />Whatever a nation’s government does in the world affects each and
every citizen. The government acts in the name of ALL the citizens.
<br />
<br />We are today no longer ‘subjects’ of that Royal Institution that we
so much respect but ‘citizens’ with a shared interest in the welfare of
us all.
<br />
<br />Naturally, many of us have material interests as to why citizens
abroad want a say in the development of the UK. All of us, young and
retired, may wish or need to return.
<br />
<br />We need a sound NHS and for all the social support systems to be
good. For many, our income is based in the UK. Many are taxed in the
UK.
<br />
<br />Most of us, of all ages, have family at ‘home’ and we care for them,
for their welfare and education. Our lives depend on treaties between
the States – a BREXIT could be a disaster.
<br />
<br />For all these reasons we desire the vote. But do you get the
impression, as I do, that most parties seek power for their own interest
rather than the interest of the voter?
<br />
<br />I hope that is a false impression, we need the party in power to act with thoughts for the citizens everywhere.
<br />
<br />Yet have you heard any of them during this campaign utter a word of concern for the citizen abroad?
<br />
<br />We may be expatriates (‘out of the homeland’), but by no means are we ex-patriots.
<br />
- See more at:
http://www.connexionfrance.com/campaigner-Brian-Cave-expat-rights-vote-election-16926-view-article.html#sthash.Ebi4IyaW.dpuf</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-7709976933989128282015-04-12T12:13:00.001+02:002015-04-12T12:18:18.855+02:00British Pensioners - Emigration.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">EMIGRATION of British STATE PENSIONERS</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The figures for August 2014 have just been published..</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://83.244.183.180/100pc/sp/cccountry/cnage/a_carate_r_cccountry_c_cnage_aug14.html">http://83.244.183.180/100pc/sp/cccountry/cnage/a_carate_r_cccountry_c_cnage_aug14.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The table condenses the movement of the last three years.
The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>countries with a * do not have the UK
pensions frozen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A blue background
indicates members of the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Further on is a graph of the movement towards EU countries.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The table is ‘sorted’ in order of the countries which have
received the greatest number of immigrants down to the most withdrawal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note that Ireland
has had the greatest number of recipients. In Ireland
of course English is spoken – they can vote for the Irish Government and in
effect can easily be assimilated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
France
and New Zealand
come next<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the UK
pension<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is frozen in NZ, the NZ
Government awards a Social Security support and accepts the UK N.I. history as
a basis for such payments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The fall in the number receiving the British Pension in Australia
and Canada (and
S.Africa.?) must be in part due to the Frozen Pension condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small increase in India
may have something to do with the rapidly increasing standard of living there
and the affluence of returning Indians from the UK?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jamaica
on the other hand is a poor country?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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