ON this day in 2016, the Brexit referendum cast uncertainty over the future of the 296,000 Britons officially registered as residents in Spain.
A decade has now passed since that historic vote. In the meantime, the British community has continued to grow, with the number of registered residents ballooning to nearly 400,000, according to government estimates.
To mark the anniversary, we asked our readers to reflect on Britain’s historic decision and tell us how it affected them.
Ten years on, the issue remains as divisive as ever. Some describe Brexit as a ‘disaster’, while others argue the UK should have gone even further in distancing itself from the EU.
Today, we bring you a selection of the most interesting responses we received. Together, they offer a fascinating snapshot of opinion among the British community in Spain.
Some comments have been lightly edited for clarity and punctuation.
Dawne J M Gardner
We voted Remain. We did our research and took the opportunity to become legal residents in Spain. We are pensioners and know we would be unable to eat as well in the UK.
We feel for our families left in the UK, but they support our decision. We will not relocate to the UK. Spain is our home and we are happy to pay our taxes here in Spain.
Tina Edwards
I voted Leave. And would again. Unfortunately the government of the time didn’t want us to leave the gravy train. Perhaps a Reform government will do the job properly!
Vince James
Can anyone name a single Brexit benefit?
Great Britain: the only country in the world to apply travel restrictions and export tariffs to itself.
Micky Moses Jones
Those of us over 60, and the real working class from industry zones in the UK, witnessed the EU destruction of our industrial sector and pit regions and the EU destruction of our textiles industry and farming.
We have never relied upon Europe. It’s always been our Commonwealth and America and [on the other side] Russia, China and Japan.
I remember food prices shot up in the shops due to EU bans on American and Canadian meat imports in the early 80s.
European inferior meats [were] more expensive and our wives and mothers cried at the higher shopping bills, as they gathered around the tables at the miner’s welfare clubs and labour clubs Saturday night bingo and comedy acts.
Cheryl Goodwin
Bad. Nothing good has come from leaving the EU.
Come on, leavers, tell me what you or this country has gained from leaving. Well, I can: a big fat nothing. Join ASAP so we get freedom of movement back, at least.
Mark Powell
The EU damaged our economy by giving grants to companies based in the UK to relocate their manufacturing to the EU so being a member was disadvantageous for us.
The correct decision was made 10 years ago and despite what the lunatics on the left say now, the electorate would make the same decision if asked again now.
Susan Wallace
We believe our strength is within Europe. We voted Remain and intend to live in Spain.
People did not read the literature but believed the lies and we have not had one positive thing come out of it.
Bob Daly
We need to get further out. Still not 100% out.
Controlled by the Germans and the French.
Ian White
Brexit, the most damaging economic bomb to land on the UK since WWII. And people would ‘vote for it again if I had to.’
Zulu, The Great Escape… An era when the map was covered in pink. Those days have gone, guys.
If reality isn’t your strong point, please, stay away from the polling booth.
Tristan Clark
It was a complete waste of time and never really happened…. Might as well still be in it.
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