Meeting to focus on future of Britons in France

Britons beyond Brexit is in Périgueux, Dordogne next week, organised by two academics from Oxford.

They have invited campaign groups, consular representatives, the Liberal Democrats in France and other Britons living in France for an event intended to provide a platform to exchange views and share knowledge.

Dr Fiona Ferbrache from Oxford and Professor Jeremy MacClancy from Oxford Brookes have already held a similar meeting in Alicante, Spain and it forms part of a research project examining the ways in which Britons in France and Spain are responding to Brexit.

Dr Ferbrache says she has been researching EU citizenship, integration and experiences of Britons in France since 2008. She finds that prior to June 2016 Britons in France and Spain rarely spoke about ‘citizenship’ as it was something that was largely taken for granted and rarely acknowledged but that now, the vocabulary and awareness has changed.

“I can be in the weekly market, or in a café and the words I overhear from Britons often include ‘citizenship’," she said. “Not only are individual Britons now talking about citizenship and rights, but we have seen the creation of various campaign groups in France, Spain and across the EU more broadly, campaigning for citizens’ rights.

"For me, this change from a relatively passive or unacknowledged notion of citizenship, to one that is more active and highly vocalised is fascinating, and, to my knowledge, has not been seen in the context of the EU before.”

Invited speakers are Roger Boaden from Expat Citizen Rights in EU (ECREU), John Shaw and Wynne Edwards from Fair Deal for Expats, Brian Robinson from Remain in France Together and Paul Fisher of Liberal Democrats in France. They will each explain what they are doing and hope to achieve.

Dr Ferbache and Professor MacClancy will explain their research and analysis so far and there will be opportunity for questions and discussion.

The meeting will be held at the Franco British Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday June 2 13.30 – 16.00.

Entrance is free but people wishing to come must register here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/britons-beyong-brexit-tickets-34831120820