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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask how you’re preparing for Brexit?

999 replies

CircleSquareCircleSquare · 13/03/2018 15:54

There is so much uncertainty surrounding what will happen with trade deals and goodness knows what else, that I’m starting to wonder about making some sensible plans.

We have put a stop to some planned works we wanted to do to our house, we have downsized to one car and we grow a small amount of veg. We keep some stocks of food in the house but we have a large family so I never feel like we’d have enough.
We have discussed not taking a holiday this summer and DH is taking every training course possible at work in order to diversify his skills should his industry go tits up.

I’m wondering what decisions you’re making in your homes for what could possibly be a really uncertain time for a few years.

OP posts:
Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 14/03/2018 12:25

To be honest, I would have more respect for people like Faith if they said, “well, tough shit, it’s not my problem”

That's exactly what faith thinks

Which is fair enough

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 14/03/2018 12:27

I have never known such blind belligerence than I read on here front the same posters over and over again because their family will be affected.

So poster A says 'everything is going to be fine stop being hysterical '

Poster B says 'this is why i am worried...'

Poster C says 'OMG stop making it all about you'

LoveInTokyo · 14/03/2018 12:27

She should be honest enough to say so really, rather than pretending that it’s not about her being a selfish twat who doesn’t care how her decisions affect the rest of us, but about us “overreacting”.

Tell it like it is, don’t hide behind son lyrics.

MillyChantilly · 14/03/2018 12:28

Laurie, the eu doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

What a bizarre statement.

From someone who clearly can't think of a single concrete thing to say.

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 14/03/2018 12:34

loveintokyo

I wouldn't argue with that either

specialsubject · 14/03/2018 12:41

quite surprised that people who live where they are not citizens need this kind of thing to make them take action - and that works for both those leaving and coming into the UK. Yes, I know it takes time - but seeing so many on here who've been 'abroad' for years and are only now sorting out passports.

Everyone I know who emigrated has taken out citizenship. if you want to stay, it makes sense.

no right answer. Although what has happened to Spain, Greece etc makes we wonder what benefits other countries get from being in the EU.

Peregrina · 14/03/2018 12:45

the point is we don't know what they will do, they probably won't kick us out, but they could make life a lot harder for us, meaning we have to leave. Many of us are in the benefits and health system here, that could potentially be withdrawn or access to it made a lot more difficult.

This is a valid point. Our Government can change rules, so why do we think that others won't? Think of our own Government's treatment of Commonwealth citizens who were brought here as children, have worked and paid taxes, and for practical purposes know no other life. There have been some celebrated cases of the Home Office trying to throw them out, because they can't lay their hands on documentation from 50 odd years ago; documentation which was probably in their parents possession anyway, so the children may not have known of its existence, and no one knew that they had to keep forever.

LoveInTokyo · 14/03/2018 12:51

quite surprised that people who live where they are not citizens need this kind of thing to make them take action - and that works for both those leaving and coming into the UK. Yes, I know it takes time - but seeing so many on here who've been 'abroad' for years and are only now sorting out passports.

Why would you undergo a time consuming and usually expensive process to gain citizenship of a country when you are exercising the EU treaty rights you have enjoyed for the last 40 odd years and have an unrestricted right to live and work there? The only additional thing citizenship of the other country gives you is the right to vote in national elections.

A couple of other points too:

  • some Brits have moved around between different EU countries
  • some Brits live in one EU country and work in another
  • some countries don’t allow dual citizenship so you would have to be willing to give up your British citizenship
  • most countries require you to have a long period of continuous residence before you’re eligible to apply for citizenship

There are many reasons why this is not as simple as you are suggesting. The existing rules were working just fine for these people and now they have been changed suddenly. Many of the people affected didn’t even get to vote in the referendum, despite the Tories promising “votes for life” in their manifesto.

Icomehereseekingpeas · 14/03/2018 12:52

I fixed my mortgage for 5 years to weather any changes in the housing market. Haven't really 'planned' for Brexit though.....

ThinkingQueSeraSera · 14/03/2018 12:55

Making bunting.

I think you're being a tad ridiculous OP.

Snowmagedon · 14/03/2018 12:57

But the arguments for both sides have been made so many times before.

I could just about argue for staying in the eu as well as arguing for out.

Don't other people ever look at both sides of anything be fore you make decisions?

Personally I think that's the best way to make major descions rather than the knee jerk what's best for me. Of course make descions that are best for me you but it's healthy to look to the other side.

However I always do this, view things in as much balance as I can but I know many posters on here would never even consider another political party to vote for.. It's odd to me!

Every thing for and agaisnt has been said.

Step · 14/03/2018 12:59

By not accepting it as a fait accompli.

By fighting the stupidity that has not but us in last place for G20 growth, that had led to a wave of xenophobia, that has led to inflation and will lead to a sad side lined England if the UK breaks up as a result.

Hoping we get out of this mess.

lostlemon · 14/03/2018 13:02

We are not planning anything as such however we are aware that things could get difficult. I would say however that I feel this way about Labour getting in. We already have the option to leave the UK and live overseas, I am however ensuring that my children are on the Irish birth register so they can get EU passports if they want.

LoveInTokyo · 14/03/2018 13:02

Snow, I know you’re trying to sound reasonable, but really, you’re full of hot air.

We need details, not fluff.

Graphista · 14/03/2018 13:07

Exactly loveintokyo I know one family where the woman is of dual nationality (uk and eu country) lives with her partner and child in a 2nd/3rd eu country in which the child was born, works in a 3rd/4th eu country. Her partner is dual nationality eu (2 whole new eu countries) and works in yet another.

If she were a sole uk citizen she would be totally stuffed and she knows of people in that situation.

I know a few others who live in one eu country and work in another, it's not uncommon. We're just not used to the idea due to being an island nation but if the uk were to collapse (eg if Scotland had gained independence) there's quite a few people would be in a similar situation here.

The arrogant disregard of the effect on people's lives by certain posters is disgusting.

LaurieMarlow · 14/03/2018 13:07

Snow so you believe that the way to convince us and win us round to your argument is to not put forward that argument. You think we should look at 'the other side' but won't articulate that side.

Did you do any debating in school btw? Because I'm not sure you grasped the basic principles.

theftbyfinding · 14/03/2018 13:13

LoveinTokyo you said "There is currently no clarity about what will happen.

Now tell me you still think I’m overreacting." I would have thought this EC memo was perfectly clear to a legal brain such as yours? Apply for recognition of your qualification in your country of residence before Brexit. Have you done so? Clearly doctors and architects and so on are automatically recognised but it's not difficult to understand, even for a Brexit Chump like myself. It's the bottom of page 22. ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/2017-12-12_cr_q_and_a_final.pdf

TatianaLarina · 14/03/2018 13:15

But the arguments for both sides have been made so many times before.

All the arguments for leave are very weak, some have already fallen apart.

That they have been made many times does not make them more convincing.

TatianaLarina · 14/03/2018 13:16

Don't other people ever look at both sides of anything be fore you make decisions?

No you’re the only person who has ever done that.

Graphista · 14/03/2018 13:16

Don't other people ever look at both sides of anything be fore you make decisions?

What makes you think we didn't try to? I've read/watched/listened to swathes of info on brexit, none of the so called arguments for brexit ever stood up - so I voted remain.

Whereas I've seen/heard of brexiters who voted leave because

furriners/immigration
"Elf n safety gawn mad" and similar eu laws being "imposed" on uk
Don't like foreign food (yes honestly and more than once!)
I want Britain to be great again - usually said by "pub landlord" aka al Murray types (vague, unrealistic and often means racist, elitist and unaware of our lack of self sufficiency)
Too much money going to eu (was debunked fairly early on in campaign - I'm still stunned at Brits from areas that HUGELY benefitted from Eu aid that will be seriously negatively affected voting leave)

Seriously not come across one good reason to leave.

Graphista · 14/03/2018 13:18

No you’re the only person who has ever done that Grin love it!

TatianaLarina · 14/03/2018 13:18

so you believe that the way to convince us and win us round to your argument is to not put forward that argument. You think we should look at 'the other side' but won't articulate that side

She seems to fall back on the hope that all the arguments already made for leave will do her work for her. We don’t even know which ones she subscribes to.

LoveInTokyo · 14/03/2018 13:19

Thanks for the patronising spiel, theft.

I know how it works (I have a master’s degree in EU law and I have also, funnily enough, made it my business to find out as much as I can about this issue).

Different member states have different rules for non EU citizens. In some countries the process you are referring to takes several years. Some have nationality requirements. Are you suggesting that

TalkinPeace · 14/03/2018 13:19

specialsubject
quite surprised that people who live where they are not citizens need this kind of thing to make them take action
I was brought to the UK as a small child.
I took over 40 years to get a UK passport - as with ILR I did not need to pay out for one.
The whole process took over a year and cost several thousand pounds.
It was NOT simple and I'd have rather not had to do it.

LoveInTokyo · 14/03/2018 13:20

Are you suggesting that people should be able to fast track their own eligibility for citizenship?

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