I remember how, on one of the several anti-Brexit marches in London we joined with Devon for Europe, a very well-dressed elderly upper-class lady near us could be heard chanting – in a very posh voice – “Bollox to Brrrexit!”. She was evidently enjoying the protest, being a bit of a rebel for once! On a march a few years ago one of our grandsons, marching with his family, was chanting “What do we want? Cheese on toast!” instead of “… people’s vote”! The joy of joining in a protest march with tens of thousands or more of like-minded people…
We’ve missed the last couple of marches for reasons of health or being abroad. However, being abroad has not prevented us from doing our bit for the anti-Brexit campaign. Soon after it was founded in 2016, we joined Bremain in Spain, and are regular contributors to its Facebook page. We spend a lot of time at our house in southern Spain, so we have a vested interest in the campaign angles Bremain promotes on behalf of Brits living in Spain (NOT expats, please!).
In January 2020, we responded to a Bremain request for volunteers to be interviewed by Ciaran Jenkins of Channel 4 News for a feature on the impact of Brexit Over the years, when in Spain we have attended meetings, AGMs and other Bremain events whenever possible. One of the most memorable was the flag-wave on the beautiful Balcón de Europa in Nerja: we had taken in our luggage the very telescopic flags we had waved several times on London marches and on the summit of Top Tor on Dartmoor!
At the flag wave on the Balcón de Europa, our group of 20 or so Bremain members, sporting our EU T-shirts and EU hats, were greeted with cheers of approval, and supportive comments by the Spaniards and the many other visitors from all over Europe. Just one ill-tempered Brexiter Brit bucked the trend; I went to rescue a couple of the ladies at whom he was hurling his invective, and became the brunt of his offensive verbiage. As Devon for Europe experience from time to time on street stalls, there is no arguing with stupid, still less with rudeness!
Bremain in Spain is a very well-developed organisation cooperating fully with its European counterparts, and valued by the British Ambassador in Madrid. It has achieved some positive outcomes fighting the corner for Brits in Spain, and its dynamic Chair, Sue Wilson well deserves the honour awarded her by the British Government; in her typically modest way, she insisted it was for all of the Bremain team.
Leading from the front as always, what follows is Sue’s letter which headed the latest Bremain Newsletter today, 30 June; Sue has given me permission to use her letter, and welcomes new readers to sign up free for the newsletter.
“Dear Mike
Whether we’ve wanted it or not, the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum has brought back painful memories of that fateful day that changed all our lives. It has reignited all those feelings of anger, shock, sadness and disbelief at the loss of rights, benefits and opportunities that we had every right to expect were ours for life. Not to mention that, thanks to our cowardly, dithering politicians, a whole decade has passed with little or no action to undo the terrible damage.
But the mood is changing and Brexit is now being openly talked about. More people are supporting rejoining the EU, and, thanks to Trump (now there’s a phrase I never thought I’d say!), even our politicians are finally waking up to the inevitable – the UK will rejoin the EU. Europe’s leaders are making all the right noises. When asked whether the UK would be welcomed back, the wonderful MEP Terry Reintke responded, “abso-fucking-lutely”!
As Bremain also celebrates its tenth anniversary, I’m mindful of one real Brexit benefit that I truly treasure. The last decade has introduced me to some of the most amazing, dedicated, caring people that I could ever have hoped to meet, many of whom are now dear friends. It has also been my privilege to work with the exceptional Bremain council and volunteers, to whom saying ‘thanks’ seems totally inadequate.
I sincerely hope that we won’t waste another decade on Brexit but be assured, however long it takes, we’ll be here, defending your rights and fighting to get back all that we’ve lost. Thank you all for joining us on this journey. Let’s hope we have don’t have too long a road to travel to our final destination.
Now, just for old time’s sake, can I get one more, very loud – BOLLOX TO BREXIT!
Sue Wilson MBE
Chair – Bremain in Spain
