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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

We did not end freedom of movement. The only people we ended fom for is ourselves and our children.

753 replies

Kendodd · 20/02/2021 11:34

I don't know why we would celebrate this.
The children of our EU friends living here still have their fom, when they leave school they'll be free to live and work in any one of 31 countries (I'm pleased for them) our children won't be. I've heard 'EU passport holder' is starting to appear on CVs now as it makes people a more attractive employee in certain sectors.

Oh and I grew up in one of the most deprived areas in the country on state benefits attending a failing school. I made use of fom in my youth and it gave me opportunities young people in my situation won't have anymore. It's not just for rich people.

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peak2021 · 20/02/2021 11:43

The migration requirements for non-EU citizens have not changed. The majority of net migration has recently been from outside the EU.

So the idea that ending freedom of movement would end or even significantly reduce migration was a myth.

Cpl1586407 · 20/02/2021 11:44

I mean...I agree with you. But what's done is done now I think.

People who voted for Brexit knew exactly what ending FoM would mean, am sure they're happy with how things are and will be now.

Original poster
Kendodd · 20/02/2021 11:55

Ok, six votes, two people think iabu. How are you disputing this though - 'We did not end freedom of movement. The only people we ended fom for is ourselves and our children' ? It's just a fact.
I guess it's this - 'I don't know why we would celebrate this' you think is unreasonable and you think ending fom for ourselves and our children IS to be celebrated.

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Original poster
Kendodd · 20/02/2021 11:57

And I know that what people are really happy about is the chance to shut the door on EU immigration into the country.

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Original poster
Kendodd · 20/02/2021 12:00

People who voted for Brexit knew exactly what ending FoM would mean
Actually, I'm not sure they did. I know a couple of people who voted Leave because of 'immigrants' who are now shocked to learn they won't be able to retire to Spain as planned.

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Felifox · 20/02/2021 16:23

I'm retired so it doesn't impact me in the same way it does younger people. However my df was born in Leitrim so I am a citizen of Ireland by birth and can get an Irish passport. So much was said about the fishermen being able to have control of British waters and now they're complaining they're worse off and would have voted to remain had they realised. Only plus is we are able to buy locally caught fish in a wet fish shop opened since we left the EU. Not much else to say for it

SchrodingersImmigrant · 20/02/2021 16:30

@Kendodd

People who voted for Brexit knew exactly what ending FoM would mean Actually, I'm not sure they did. I know a couple of people who voted Leave because of 'immigrants' who are now shocked to learn they won't be able to retire to Spain as planned.
This is why some kind of tests should be done before voting🙄
IpanemaNova · 20/02/2021 16:38

My dc have British and EU passports (from their dad), it’s a great advantage for them but I can’t be completely happy about it because I have nieces and nephews here in the UK who won’t have the same benefits as my kids as they only have one UK passport. Doesn’t seem fair, both me and dsis voted remain.

Ylvamoon · 20/02/2021 16:47

My dc have British and EU passports

Same here. As soon as Brexit was certain, we got her EU passports.

DC were registered from birth with embassy, so it was straight forward.

I do believe that once we are allowed to travel and things have settled down, politicians will have to adress these issues.

The economy depends on it.
So Brexit yay- but the UK will never be free of the EU.

beelzeboob · 20/02/2021 16:53

As a percentage though, how many people actually want to live and work in another European country? I just can’t see how it would benefit most people from deprived areas, who would be lucky to get a half decent job in this country, let alone on the continent, where they’re unlikely to speak the language. I’m talking in general terms here by the way.

Original poster
Kendodd · 20/02/2021 17:54

It benefited me hugely. And I didn't have a half decent job, I had bar work and stuff like that, I didn't speak foreign languages but learnt while there. It wasn't a forever move, but it could have been if I'd decided to stay on. I had a brilliant time, just like the working class kids who rock up on the Costas in the summer, or in Amsterdam or Berlin and pick up casual work that allows them to see a bit of life. Those chances are gone for them without an EU passport. I didn't have any fancy qualifications or money to navigate a complicated immigration system, I didn't need it back then.

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countrygirl99 · 20/02/2021 17:58

My son is at University in Finland. His fees are £0 and his rent is not only lower than his smaller flat when he lived in the Midlands but it includes heating and broadband. His engineering course is in English.

Original poster
Kendodd · 20/02/2021 18:03

I heard lots of universities in the EU run some of their courses in English. I know for British kids fees will rocket making it unviable for most, but I wonder if it'll still be accessible for EU passport holders who've grown up here though?

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Original poster
Kendodd · 20/02/2021 18:05

I hope it will still be accessible for EU kids, I hate to see opportunities reduction for any of them even if my own kids are excluded.

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MasterBeth · 20/02/2021 18:06

@beelzeboob

As a percentage though, how many people actually want to live and work in another European country? I just can’t see how it would benefit most people from deprived areas, who would be lucky to get a half decent job in this country, let alone on the continent, where they’re unlikely to speak the language. I’m talking in general terms here by the way.
Probably not a huge percentage, but add together all the small percentages of people who’ve been fucked by Brexit and it all adds up.

Also, I know a fair few tradespeople working industries like construction, events, the motor trade etc who would routinely work for a few days on contract in Europe but will find it far more difficult to now.

Dreamingofvenice · 20/02/2021 18:09

2 of my children can have EU passports but one cant (different dads) I feel she has lost so many opportunities particularly as we have lots of family in the EU. I have a friend who spent summers working in spain when she was young yet still voted leave because of immigration she couldnt understand that it would deprive her DC of the chances she had.

ShesMadeATwatOfMePam · 20/02/2021 18:12

What's the point in yet another thread moaning about it though?

VeryQuaintIrene · 20/02/2021 18:25

Because it was a shitty decision that is turning out exactly as a lot of us feared and said we feared. And more people are realising that maybe it wasn't quite what the Tories sold us, my dad for one, so I think it's always worth keeping up the level of complaint. I'd like to think the EU would have us back one day!

FinallyHere · 20/02/2021 18:36

lucky to get a half decent job in this country, let alone on the continent,

Employers offering half decent jobs with prospects will be able to arrange working visas. The loss of FOM means people can't just take off and support themselves working in a bar, hospitality, casual kinds of work.

I see no benefit of reducing the places people can do this to just UK or even GB.

For what ?

What's the point in yet another thread

Because there are still people who do not see the connection between Brexit and the reduction in opportunities. If one more person came to realise this, it would be worth any amount of threads.

Let's not just let it be forgotten.

Original poster
Kendodd · 20/02/2021 19:29

I'm glad in a way that Johnson is introducing blue passports. They'll be a real visual reminder of the opportunities they have taken from our young people. With a burgundy passport, you can live/work in any of 31 countries, with a blue passport you can live/work in two countries.

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BlackForestCake · 20/02/2021 19:58

how many people actually want to live and work in another European country? I just can’t see how it would benefit most people from deprived areas,

I'm guessing you are too young to have seen Auf Wiedersehen Pet.

JojoLapin · 20/02/2021 20:19

I heard lots of universities in the EU run some of their courses in English. I know for British kids fees will rocket making it unviable for most, but I wonder if it'll still be accessible for EU passport holders who've grown up here though?

My children acquired British nationality (on top of their French one) for this very reason. They were born and lived all their lives in the UK. They will undoubtedly be studying here too. Foreign students fees would be crippling.

I benefited from FoM so much. It is desperately sad that such great opportunities are closing down for the youth of Britain.

Mamamia456 · 20/02/2021 20:35

OP - You're looking at this from your own experience though. When I was younger I had no desire whatsoever to work and live in another country. It just didn't appeal to me, never even crossed my mind in fact. I don't know anyone else who wanted to do that either. We were more interested in working in London as that's where we could earn good money.

Original poster
Kendodd · 20/02/2021 20:41

@Mamamia456
Yes I am, as are you.
I know plenty of people who spent time working in Europe, in both professional and casual, no qualifications, jobs like me. I'm surprised you don't know anyone who lived/worked in Europe?

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Original poster
Kendodd · 20/02/2021 20:42

Even Sick Boy from Train Spotting rocked up in Paris to live.

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