A lot of us came here as economic migrants, I came because I was unable to continue to work as I was and support my family and provide a decent place for them to live, the bills got higher and what you received in exchange got less. That said I paid into the British system from the age of 18 to 55 (with allowance for being a mother unworking for some of those years but not all). I did not vote in the referendum as I did not believe I had the right. I receive a pension and small pensions that I paid into and went without to achieve a small stipend and final salary pension I declare all in France. I do not want or expect a winter fuel allowance or liens from the UK. However I am horrified that I did not look at where I was going to purchase to see what they voted - the village not too far from me voted Front National, this commune is known for its unfriendliness to incomers (as are some in the UK to be fair). I feel threatened by the Front National party no matter what they change their name to.
National pride and patriotism have become synonymous with white crusader avatars and fascism and I loathe such wherever country it is practised and praised in. Cultural pride and love of oneās homeland is a different matter so I suppose it is a matter of how far you take that politically to keep it to what you know. I am concerned by the antics of the far right and far left but my son tells me that historically there are swings to the far left, far right and then middle it is just that this swing is having an economic and personal effect on all.
I do see trouble ahead and believe that an awful lot of people will vote for the likes of Front National aka another name, and the likes of the Tories because of the fact that strangers are not liked and especially those with a different culture and different religion and different colour. I find it understandable but sad, I know that there was such problems with Jamaican and Carribean people who came to the UK in the 50ās and in most parts of the UK they are now accepted as being āone of usāā¦ however I do not think that will be the case for those who are now refugees in Europe due to the media and the rather careless way that the immigration of those refugees has been undertaken.
Also from what I understand of MLP she dislikes those who are non-white French colonials and believes that colonialism is the best thing that happened to the French colonies but believes they should stay there.
I may be putting two and two together to make five, Patsie, but reading between the lines, and especially your last paragraph which refers to MLPs racist tendencies, I wonder if you are a āperson of colourā, and therefore feel particularly vulnerable to racist notice, and perhaps to racist attack?
You donāt have to answer, of course, and I ask because my wife and I are mixed race couple (Africa-Europe) living in rural Normandy since 2015. Our own experience may be of some interest and/or reassurance. The FN has strong support amongst many local people here, as in most areas of relative social deprivation.
No wish to intrude on you or your concerns, and please ignore my questioning or comments if they displease you at all
I have been here in this village for approximately 12 1/2 years. I kept a low profile and just visited the local craft group one afternoon a week. This particular village is more of a commuter village, it does not have that much of a ālocalā feel therefore and has very little community spirit to my mind. It is the case that I was rebuffed more than once, and there are other personal matters which occurred to one of my close relatives here which led me to believe that we were not really that ālikedā as we were strangers. It happens in the UK as well where people try to settle in certain areas.
I therefore have very little to do with those who live here as they are mostly commuters and have a good relationship with my neighbours on a daily basis - there is not much more one can ask for to my mind. There is no way you can allay my fears with regard to the National Front or Front National or whatever they call themselves although I understand why many people voted for them.
Ah well Patsieā¦ youāve lived here for 12.5 years and I suppose you are settled into the routine of your local life (or lack of it).
Have you thought of starting a small group yourselfā¦ with your neighboursā¦ just a social get together every now and thenā¦ (although perhaps you already do this).
Community spirit relies on everyone having a goā¦ itās not much fun feeling āunlikedā but with determination it is possible to turn things around.
I am really not bothered by being part of the local life, I tried community spirit and found that people are quite happy to continue as they are and they have that right but I found them too xenophobic for my taste. It is not my job to change or turn things around here but integration means people going 50/50 not me doing the 95%.
To that end I belong to a Guild of people here in Central Brittany both French, Breton and British that 3 British and 3 French started and we meet regularly they come from all parts of Brittany and we have a great time. We share knowledge and information and laugh and talk politics and culture and share our cultures it is a great chance to meet people from outside of this area and commune.
The commune is growing at a rate of knots which is good but it is only the elderly that were here when it was smaller that share community the others are younger and work hard to exist and raise their families and they do not have the time as the elder ones did and still do.
It is modern life and I am not bothered any more by it. However I have listened to many people as to why they would vote National Front because they feel disenfranchised and that is not good for any people anywhere. We are polite, helpful when we can be and share our extra fruit with our neighbours that is enough for me now.
Thank you for your concern I think we all have good days and bad days no matter where we live. I must admit that I was quite hurt at first when comments were made and from associations I have belonged to further afield (one in Rostrenen) the French lady who ran one was told that she would not belong in the village until one of her grandparents had been buried there. It is just the way it is in some places in the world.
I think that without my once a month meetings and my family and some good friends and the Internet I would find it intolerable to keep motivated but then is it any different for elderly people anywhere - I doubt it. I do not think I would want to live here if I was on my own.
We have lived in our commune for nine years now.
We have quartier picnics where we get to meet our neighbours and after five years I stood up and thanked them all for their friendship and warm welcome, which went down very well.
We have Les Dames de Lundi, french and brit ladies where we aim to improve both languages and we read a bilingual book.
There is a lot of chat as well and friendship.
We have a neighbor who used to work with soft furnishings in Paris and she does our alterations and we help with her computer and small household problems.
We have a neighbor who shows films with english subtitles for us in the winter with supper beforehand.
We have regular lunches with the lady from whom we bought our house and another friend and her very elderly father.
I have shown that english people can cook and my contributions to lunches and dinners with friends are always enjoyed.
We love it here, but there are people in our village who do vote National Front. I have been told that they are mainly elderly and there is still animosity concerning a family who were collaborators during the War.
We actually live seven kms from the village and are mainly farmers and retirees from Lyon, we are the only Brits here, with another couple in the actual village.
Yes, I will! The type of person who votes for the National Front is often the type who is completely fed up with greedy and self serving politicians. The shaven headed thugs are pretty much a minority these days.
But, let me put this to you. What sort of person would deny another person the democratic right to vote for a party of his or her choice? Would this sort of person be happy in a one party state for example? Perhaps allow for a two party state? You see Barbara democracy means that people can have a choice. You may not like it when people choose something different to you but the alternative to democracy isnāt something you would like to think about, and possibly donāt!!!
Before you jump to any conclusions, incorrectly! My right wing tendencies go as far as the Conservative party; for better or worse!!
I certainly couldnāt argue with you on that point. The alternative choice though, I think is much worse! A rather pathetic way to have to choose who to vote for isnāt it, which party is less disorganised and poorly led than the other!!!
I voted Lib Dem at the last election, even though I knew the candidate had no chance.
I could not bring myself to vote Tory, partcularly as Stroud voted Remain.
The previous Labour MP was re-elected and is now Shadow Minister of Agriculture in Corbynās Shadow Cabinet.
On the Lib Dem website you can go and pre- register to show your support for moderation in politics.
I urge all who read this to do so.
We moderates are being totally ignored, even though it now appears that there is a majority of people who want to Remain we are being forced down this drastic and stupid path to self destruction.
Itās too late to organise a āPeopleās voteā or a second referendum without an extension to the Article 50 timescale of two years. A general election would be quicker but youād then rely on either a Labour/LibDem coalition or a Labour government cancelling Brexit or asking for the A50 extension, itās unlikely TM will call a GE so in reality remainers are stuffed even though they might now be in the majority (which is debatable anyway).
I think the EU has indicated that it would be willing to extend the A50 deadline if it were for a democratic process to occur within the UK such as a GE or 2nd referendum, so I donāt think time is the issue if there were the political will within the UK for holding a further plebiscite.
I donāt think the Chequers proposals are that great but the fact remains that they are the only proposals on the table which fall within Mayās silly āred linesā and which solve the NI problem (I think EEA membership would, possibly EFTA membership but May has ruled those out).
Unfortunately they have been firmly, on multiple occasions, ruled out by the EU which leaves her hemmed in on all sides.
I donāt think May will call a GE, nor agree to a further vote on EU membership but she might well loose grip on power and then what happens is anybodyās guess.
FWIW I donāt think a GE will help - if it returned Labour then they have no Brexit plan or strategy worth a hoot, if it did return the Tories then they wonāt have any more clue than they do today and I would not be at all surprised if it did not simply produce another hung parliament (perhaps with Corbyn slightly ahead this time).
Iām not sure a 2nd referendum would put more than a sticking plaster on the situation either.
Well at least you could vote!! Because of the 15year rule Iām disenfranchised!!! Not that Iām too bothered I have to say. I half believe that as I have lived in France for so long It doesnāt seem quite right that I should vote for a government which has little influence over me!
As for Lib Dem, Well we all make choices and rightly so. Personally I wouldnāt want to, knowingly, waste my vote. Incidentally I donāt believe in moderation in politics. That is not to be taken that I would support an extreme party, I wouldnāt, but I do believe in a diversity of ideas and policies.
As for Brexit: Iām all for it. The most saddening aspect of Brexit for me is the mud slinging and insults flying about. I wonder why it is so difficult to accept that others have a different view and opinion? Brexit, it would appear, like religion and politics, simply brings out the worse in people!
Great, someone who is for Brexit. Please can you give some positive reasons for Brexit, all I ever see are forecasts of hard financial times and shortages. There must be plus points but nobody ever seems to list them. Here is your chance to educate us.
