Keep up with the latest from Bremain in Spain
Bremainers Ask ….. Alexandra Hall Hall
Alexandra Hall Hall is a former British diplomat with over 30 years’ service, including postings to Bangkok, Washington, New Delhi, Bogota and Tbilisi, where she was the British Ambassador from 2013 – 2016. Her most recent assignment was as Brexit Counsellor and...
UK unilateral action over protocol
This was not the first time we have heard from the UK government that the negotiated Brexit deal - and the protocol - is not fit for purpose, writes Bremain Chair Sue WILSON MBE for Yorkshire Bylines. When Brexit opportunities minister, Jacob Rees-Mogg, gave evidence...
Working from home under attack by out-of-touch and out-of-date government
With their attack on WFH, Johnson and Rees-Mogg have proved just how far the Conservatives have strayed from being the ‘party of business’. by Sue Wilson MBEWhen the pandemic forced employees all over the world to work from home (WFH) – many for the first time ever –...
EU-UK Relations Deteriorating Rapidly
by Sue Wilson MBE Liz Truss on Twitter 12 May – https://twitter.com/trussliz/status/1524681502537265152?s=20&t=l3kBvGC-hHUQs00w8YMmYQ In the run up to the Stormont elections in Northern Ireland, UK/EU negotiations were put on hold, so as not to interfere with the...
A government that’s out of touch and out of ideas
Unless the government recognises the suffering its causing, it will remain out of touch and out of ideas, and the public will be the losers by Sue Wilson MBE When Prime Minister Boris Johnson was interviewed recently on Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid did not pull...
‘Bittersweet’: Brits living abroad for over 15 years finally win right to vote in UK Elections
By George Mathias - Originally posted in The Olive Press CAMPAIGNERS were celebrating their victory after years of battling for the right of those who have lived abroad for more than 15years to maintain the right to vote in UK elections. On Thursday, April 28, the...
‘Mixed feelings’: British citizens in Europe finally get right to vote for life
By Hayley Maguire - Originally published in The Local Es British citizens living abroad will no longer lose their right to vote in UK elections if they have been abroad for over 15 years, after a long-term government pledge finally became law. Here's what we...
Votes for life in UK general elections for British expats finally becomes law
NEIL HESKETH / JENNIE RHODES - Originally posted in SUR After a fight over several years, campaigners are celebrating the change which gives UK citizens in Spain more say in decisions 'back home' British citizens living in Spain are celebrating today after the law...
Bitter sweet feelings as elections bill passes through parliament
by Sue Wilson MBE The passing of the elections bill through parliament comes at a price as Johnson now takes control of the Electoral Commission. When I heard that the elections bill had been passed by parliament, the song It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to came...
Will Johnson ask the Queen to announce her government’s intention to break the law?
by Lisa Burton If Johnson expects the Queen to announce this legislation in her speech it will prove that he has no respect for the Queen Last week the Independent reported ‘Boris Johnson set to use Queen’s Speech to pick Brexit fight with EU’. The article was about...
Bremainers Ask ……… Terry Christian
Terry Christian is a journalist, actor, author and award-winning radio and TV broadcaster. He has presented several national television series, including Channel 4's The Word and 6 series of ITV’s moral issues talk show, It's My Life. He has also been a strong critic...
Jacob Rees-Mogg argues that with Brexit “the best is yet to come”!
According to the Benefits of Brexit paper, “this is a hugely exciting time for our country, one filled with potential and opportunity”. by Sue Wilson MBE On Wednesday 20 April, the European Scrutiny Committee held an oral evidence session with Brexit opportunities...
Government’s plan to export refugees to Rwanda condemned as inhumane, unworkable and extortionate
by Sue Wilson MBE The government is pandering to right-wing xenophobes with its abhorrent and soon-to-fail immigration plan with Rwanda, in our name The Home Office’s ‘new plan for immigration’ is not going to work. The model is flawed, the cost is prohibitive and...
How A Beach-side Community In Spain’s Valencia Region Opened It’s Heart To Ukrainian Refugees
By Sue Wilson in Alcossebre As Miquel Angel Jauset watched events in Ukraine unfold on his TV he, like so many of us, felt he must do something to help.. And as Director-General of Kione Resorts, a holiday village in the coastal town of Alcossebre in the Valenciano...
Open Letter to Lord Frost from Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE
Dear David, As we’re old friends now, I’m sure you’ll forgive the informality of my address. I thought you would rather prefer David to ‘Frosty’, with or without the ‘no-man’ handle. I note that, despite your resignation from your role as Brexit Minister, we have not...
Woeful ignorance: a timeline of Russian interference in UK politics
It has taken a war for Britain to openly acknowledge that Putin has successfully infiltrated our politics and interfered in our democracy, writes Bremain Vice Chair Lisa Burton for Yorkshire Bylines. 10–20 minute read It has taken a war in Europe for Britain to open...
Interrogating the prime minister on Ukraine, partygate and the cost-of-living crisis
Johnson appeared before the Commons liaison committee to answers questions on the situation in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.On Wednesday 30 March, Prime Minister Johnson appeared before the Commons...
Bremainers ask……. Gavin Esler
Gavin Esler is an award-winning television and radio broadcaster, novelist and journalist. He is the holder of a Royal Television Society award, a Sony Gold (radio) award, and two Lovie awards for his podcast series about Vladimir Putin, The Big Steal. He is the...
Ukrainians in Spain
The crisis is Ukraine has been at the forefront of our minds since the war began over a month ago, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for The Olive Press. In particular, the plight of Ukrainian refugees has seen the governments and the peoples of Europe open their...
Johnson sidelined and snubbed in Brussels
Johnson has removed the ‘great’ from Britain and the ‘united’ from Kingdom. It’s time we removed the Johnson from Downing Street, writes Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.On Thursday 24 March, leaders from across the globe – including President Joe Biden – met in...
Ukraine in Spain
Distressing images of war-torn Ukraine, and the plight of innocent Ukrainians, are becoming all too familiar. Poor, desperate people are caught up in the terrible struggle, with millions forced to flee their homes and their country. Spain is home to 112,000 Ukrainian...
Johnson insults Ukraine – A New Low
Listening to our Prime Minister make crass, inappropriate, even insulting comments is unhappily nothing new, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for West England Bylines. We’ve grown accustomed to his style, his language, his need to please his own party. He has done...
Frosty reception for latest protocol speech
Lord David Frost, former Brexit negotiator, is having another tantrum. It seems he is not taking criticism of his recent speech well, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.Lord David Frost, former Brexit negotiator, is having a bit of a tantrum....
Home Office response to Ukraine refugee crisis a “total disgrace”
The government's handling of Ukraine refugees is a "total disgrace", the Home Office could and should do better, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.When Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed Home Secretary Priti Patel at the despatch box...