Should we guarantee the rights of eu citzens to remain unilaterally

[ReallyTired]

I think we should. They came here with the belief that they could live here.

I suppose the argument is that Spain and France may not show compassion to British citizens who have emigrated. Certainly Spain may well be tempted to use it as leverage to gain sovernity of Gibraltar. I think the chances of the French being vindictive is less.

If Scotland leaves the uk and joins the EU could there be an arrangement where ex pats become Scottish citizens? (Even if they are 100% English or Welsh) in the event of British citizens being sent back?

Emilybohemia, the taxi driver is right - you can't really trust so-called 'facts' and statistics unless you know how they've been gathered and who by; what data has been included or left out, the purpose of the research and who paid for it.

I think this sort of debate comes down to each person's attitudes and beliefs, which are formed by their personal experiences, discussions, TV, etc, and simply to our gut feelings. Also personality: do you welcome change, are you a confident, open-minded, friendly, fair-minded sort of person, or do you feel that you lack control over your own life, the world is a scary place and you need to protect those around you from people who are trying to take advantage? It's easy to be relaxed and welcoming if life is good to you and you have enough of everything. Not so easy if you don't.

Imho we need both sorts. I just don't like the people who are always looking over their shoulder to see who's got what, instead of enjoying and appreciating all that's good about living here.

Sometimes those that have a lot are the ones that are frightened of immigrants. I learnt that just before the referndum when pretty well off people began to share their dodgy beliefs about EU nationals.

True. But money doesn't make you happy, necessarily. I think happy people are often glad to share, and unhappy ones probably look for happiness in possessions, which they then have to protect, of course.

Probably enough pop psychology from me for one discussion! Of course I know there are lots of different explanations for our apparent xenophobia.