Not all Britons in France want to stay in

Philip Lidgate said he opposes the EU due to “fraud,
corruption and feather-bedding of EU Commission
members and Eurocrats”, the opacity of the EU Commission’s
accounts, the “ludicrous second parliament
in Strasbourg”, the Common Agricultural Policy and
interference in countries’ sea fishing rights.
There might be “short-term ups and downs as different
countries assess the impact to themselves of losing
the UK from the EU” and the French and government
may exact “vengeance” on the UK, however he could
not see why this would affect expats. “In summary, I
think there will be no long-term detrimental effect for
UK expats in France after a short period of uncertainty.
“There may be a brief period when the pound is weak
against the euro but when the wider world sees the UK
thriving independently, the euro will drop to its properly
calculated value of around 70p or less.”

Roger Bingham said the EU is “an undemocratic,
inefficient, expensive, corrupt movement dedicated
to the creation of a super-state” and said “I have lived
happily in France for 15 years and intend to remain here
by taking French nationality.” He added: “The UK does
not need the EU - there are many more trading partners
available and many will be EU member states. It is
not rocket science to understand that if, for example,
Germany wishes to continue selling cars in UK without
import duties they will have to trade with UK on a
similar basis. The question of security within the EU is
nonsense. The UK’s intelligence services are probably
as capable as any other. If the EU member states wish to
share this intelligence then they must reciprocate.”
Concerning expats, he said: “There is bound to be an
unsettled period of establishing a carte de séjour, medical
arrangements and financial matters such as UK-based
pensions. However these administrative details are exaggerated
by those campaigning for the ‘remain’ vote.”

Gregory Powell said Britain, as a small island with its
own currency, was never a natural candidate for EU
membership and since joining the ‘club’ had made it
clear it did not wish to abide by all the rules. “Charles De
Gaulle was correct when he said the EU [then EEC] was
not right for Britain. I remember the days before the UK
joined and there were no problems.”
He added: “I cannot foresee any actual benefits to
expats, other than I assume ‘duty free’ sales would be
re-instated on the ferries and planes between the UK
and Europe again. Having said that, much will remain
exactly the same as before, though there will possibly be
minor inconveniences for ‘new’ people coming to live in
France – especially if they are not retirees.”

Dawn Lyde, who has lived in France for 26 years, called
the EU a ‘ghastly empire’ which has harmed European
cultures. “I can’t predict benefits of just UK expats - my
vision is for all free people and nations. I see benefits of
getting back sovereignty to each country and control by
the people over the country they are living in.
“Fear mongering from Mr Cameron only makes it
clear to me that governments are concerned that people
are waking up to the Orwellian state being built around
them. We are not going to get thrown out any more than
any country one chooses to live in as long as there is a
true democracy, which in my view is eroding by the day.
Apathy, fear and ignorance open the door to totalitarianism.
Europe is dying and the Empire is doing it.”

Terence Watson said: “The British Isles have for
centuries stood alone, in the past we have been at war
with most European countries, always winning. We
may be small but can exist on our own. I voted to join
Europe for free tariffs, but we have been betrayed by a
succession of leaders of both parties ever since, dragging
us deeper and deeper into giving up our heritage.”