Bremain in Spain joins 670,000-strong People’s Vote march

Bremain in Spain joins 670,000-strong People’s Vote march

BRITS living in Spain are on their way home after joining the 670,000-strong People’s Vote march in central London calling for the public to have a final say on any Brexit deal – and for this vote to include an option to remain in the European Union. Bremain in Spain, a campaign group fighting Brexit with over 5,200 members on its Facebook site, joined the march with their slogan ‘Brexit is Bonkers’ and wore yellow baseball caps and blue T-shirts.

Many of Bremain in Spain’s members and supporters have begun posting their own photographs of the day’s march on social media, which show a wealth of imagination among remainers. The most-liked so far reads: “My mother-in-law lives in Spain. Please don’t make them send her back here!”, while other popular banners read: “Even Baldrick had a plan;” “Jacob’s Crackers,” in the style of the popular water biscuits and referring to Tory hard-line Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg; “Ikea has better cabinets;” “Nice one, Dave,” referring to British prime minister David Cameron who held the referendum on leaving or remaining in the EU; “June 24, 2016: Worst hangover ever,” referring to the day after the referendum; “This is the worst trade negotiation since Star Wars: The Phantom Menace,” and even, “This is like when Geri overestimated her viability as a solo artist and left the Spice Girls;” although the latter may not be the best analogy, given that Geri Halliwell had two number one singles and two best-selling albums within as many years of leaving the band.

A mother and daughter walked side by side carrying blue banners with the EU sign of a ring of yellow stars, the mother’s reading: “Pulling out doesn’t work,” and the daughter’s, with an arrow pointing to her mother, reading: “My mum.”

A counter-protest by the pro-Brexit association Leave Means Leave attracted just 1,200 marchers, whilst the People’s Vote march filled the streets wall-to-wall from Marble Arch to the British Parliament building.

 

 

 

Read full article in Think Spain

 

 

Department for Exiting the EU minister meets groups representing UK nationals in Spain to discuss Brexit

Department for Exiting the EU minister meets groups representing UK nationals in Spain to discuss Brexit

MINISTER at the Department for Exiting the EU, Robin Walker, was in Madrid yesterday (Thursday) to meet with Spanish government ministers and members of the business community.

He also took part in a roundtable discussion on citizens’ rights with spokespeople from groups representing UK nationals in Spain.

Members of Brexpats in Spain, Bremain in Spain, EuroCitizens and ECREU were welcomed to the British Embassy by Deputy Head of Mission Tim Hemmings, where, as well as meeting with the minister, they spent time with different members of the Embassy and consular teams, discussing issues including health and social care, outreach and communications.

The aim of the day was to provide the representatives of the citizens’ groups with a greater insight into the work the Embassy network does on behalf of UK nationals, provide an update on the progress of the Brexit negotiations and respond to any questions and concerns.

Minister Walker said: “I was pleased to have the chance to meet with representatives of the British expat community and update them about what the government is doing to safeguard their rights post-Brexit.

Read full story in the Euro Weekly

Brexit: Brits in Spain react to Theresa May’s speech

Brexit: Brits in Spain react to Theresa May’s speech

Theresa May’s Conservative Party conference speech is causing confusion and consternation amongst members of the anti-Brexit campaign group Bremain in Spain.
When the British Prime Minister danced on stage to deliver a crucial keynote speech to the Conservative conference in Birmingham, on Wednesday, no-one was listening more keen that those campaigning for the rights of British citizens in Europe.

But while Mrs May sought to quell discord within her own party and reassure Britain that the end of austerity was in sight with Brexit, she did little to assuage fears from British residents in Spain worrying about what effects Brexit, deal or no deal, would have on them.

“Literally dancing on to stage in Birmingham – to the sounds of the famous Europop tune, ‘Dancing Queen’ by ABBA – Mrs May casually set about promising a continuation of her parochial dedication to Brexit and implied that those against her Chequers agreement are “unpatriotic”,” said a statement from the campaigning group Bremain in Spain.

Warning! (parental advisory) shocking video content of May dancing…

Read full story here at The Local

 

 

Theresa May admits she knew about Leave rule flout before Article 50

Theresa May admits she knew about Leave rule flout before Article 50

The confession came in response to a high court challenge to the Brexit vote being pursued by British citizens living in France, Italy and Spain.

The expats want to stop the UK leaving the EU, and went to the courts after the Electoral Commission found “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Vote Leave and BeLeave broke the law during the 2016 referendum campaign by exceeding spending limits.

They argue that the conduct of the Brexit backing campaigners should nullify the result.

But May’s lawyer says their argument is “unsustainable”.

In his submission to the court, which was released by the Brits abroad, Joseph Barrett of 11KBW chambers says: “At the time the decision to give article 50 notice was taken, it was a matter of public record that campaigners may have breached campaign finance requirements, and other requirements, during the EU referendum campaign.

Read full article in The National

Brexit: May knew leave campaigners may have broken financial rules

Brexit: May knew leave campaigners may have broken financial rules

Theresa May knew leave campaigners may have breached financial limits during the EU referendum campaign when she triggered article 50 initiating Brexit, her lawyers have admitted.

In a formal response to a high court challenge over the legitimacy of the vote, lawyers for the prime minister have been attempting to dismiss the action brought by Britons living in France, Italy and Spain.

By suggesting flaws in the referendum process were already anticipated, Joseph Barrett, the barrister who wrote the response, has implied there was nothing new for the court to investigate.

The rival submissions and responses were released on Monday by lawyers acting for the organisation UK in EU, which had crowdfunded the legal challenge.

Its claim argued that the Electoral Commission’s findings on BeLeave and Vote Leave, which resulted in two officials being reported to the police and fines being imposed, mean the 2016 EU referendum was not a lawful, fair or free vote.

Read full story in The Guardian

Bremain, Brexpats-HOV and Young European Voices in Brussels!

Bremain, Brexpats-HOV and Young European Voices in Brussels!

Bremain Chair Sue Wilson and Council member Elspeth Williams, Brexpats-Hear our Voice Chair Debbie Williams and Molly Williams from Young European Voices were recently in Brussels for meetings with MEPs and to attend the EUnite event.  Here’s Sue’s story:

On Tuesday 4th September, I flew from Valencia with Debbie & Molly Williams. We met up with Elena Remigi of In Limbo Project at Brussels airport & made our way to the city centre for the start of a 3 day visit. We were all in town for the EUnite event, where we all scheduled to make speeches.

The EUnite event had to be moved to a restaurant at the last minute due to a thunderstorm, but was well attended. Bremain’s own council member Elspeth Williams had travelled to Brussels especially to be with us, & was joined in the audience by many staunch Remain campaigners, some of whom we knew & some that we were meeting for the first time. There were some excellent speeches, especially from MEPs Julie Ward, Molly Scott-Cato, Richard Corbett & Seb Dance. We had some fun in the bar afterwards as Elspeth came up with the brilliant idea of a sign for Seb Dance to hold saying “She’s telling the truth”. It was a lovely companion photo to the one I had from my last trip, with Seb & I with his framed “He’s Lying” sign, which he had pointed at Nigel Farage in the European Parliament a few months ago.

Following the EUnite event, Elspeth, Debbie, Molly, Elena & I attended the “Beehive” event in a park in the city centre. This event was attended by around 50 people, including MEPs Julie Ward & Alyn Smith, & was an open mike event. The floor was open for anyone that wanted to tell their Brexit story, with the tagline “Brexit is personal”. I sat this one out, but my travel companions, & Elspeth, all took the floor & told their moving stories to an appreciative audience.

I had the privilege of staying in the home of a British MEP, though we were rather like ships that passed in the night, as we both had very busy agendas. We did manage one midnight feast together though!

During my visit, I had scheduled 8 MEP appointments, some with politicians I had never met before, but every one a Remainer! It was a pleasure to meet up with Jean Lambert (Green), Catherine Bearder (LibDem), Seb Dance, Julie Ward & Richard Corbett (all Labour) again. I also enjoyed meeting for the first time Molly Scott-Cato (Green), Alyn Smith (SNP) & my first Conservative, Charles Tannock.

We discussed a number of topics in relation to Brexit: how it is going (or not going); shifting public opinion; the impossibility of a “no-deal” scenario; the increasing support for a #FinalSay #PeoplesVote (which they all support); the EU’s attitude towards Brexit; the Labour party’s position & the increasing pressure they are under.

We also spoke about the UK in EU legal challenge. Most had heard about our court case, but I filled in the blanks & promised them copies of the government’s response once it was in the public domain. They were all very interested in finding out more information, especially the 2 lawyers amongst them!

I got an overwhelming sense from everyone I met that we have the momentum & that our arguments are breaking through. Everyone agreed that public opinion in the UK has shifted, especially with regard to the chances of another referendum. Whilst nobody suggested our fight would be easy, or that there weren’t significant obstacles still to overcome, there was a real sense of hope & optimism that I hadn’t experienced on my last visit.

I finished my trip in style, having been offered a ride to the European Parliament in a company car with my host. To be chauffeur driven with my suitcase in tow was a real treat, & I have never seen such a clean car in my entire life! Not something I am accustomed to, but I could get used to it!

Many thanks to Samit and EUnite is EUnique  for allowing us to share the following videos of the event:

Elena Remigi, Debbie and Molly Williams:

Julie Ward MEP’s speech:

Molly Scott Cato MEP’s speech:

Richard Corbett MEP’s speech:

Seb Dance MEP’s speech:

Sue Wilson’s speech: