There we go again!

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And again the lives of my fellow Europeans are disrupted by an odious man with a big mouth and a small heart. Reform UK has (finally, I would say) expressed a policy they would put in place when they win the elections. And it is not pretty: people who have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) would - if Nigel gets elected and forms a government- be stripped of ILR and instead apply for a work visum every five years. This visum will have to be applied for again and again. What do you think will happen when this person, maybe after working for a good few years in the UK, reaches retirement age? He or she will not be contributing to the UK pot of money - older folk would need the NHS more, maybe and actually be a 'burden' on the state. Oops - off you go to your home country - you have worked for us and now you can fuck off because you have lost your value.

Now in principle, European citizens who live in the UK and have settled status would be 'safe'. The status of Europeans in the UK and of the Brits in Europe is regulated by a Treaty between the EU and the UK.  No bother then?  Not quite: Nigel would like to re-negotiate this Treaty in such a way that he can chuck out European citizens when their life of contributing to the state is over. When, maybe through no fault of their own, they have to rely on benefits. Can you imagine what all this means? 

Why should any person want to come and work in the UK? Doctors, nurses, scientists, teachers, care-givers - both from the EU and further away - they would leave in droves, leading to enormous gaps in some areas such as care. Who will replace them? The thugs clad in flags shouting at migrants behind the windows in a hotel? Not very likely!

Apart from the utter stupidity to make this country unattractive to come and work in, there is also the human cost. What will happen to EU citizens married to Brits? Will Reform just stop their pensions and other benefits? It is possible families will be torn apart. I am at risk too - at 70, I'm not formally adding to the UK economy. And my son's partner, who is american and got settled status on the back of our son's Irish nationality? Will we see a UK version of ICE on the streets here? Will they come for the Irish too?

I feel the same anxiety as I did when the UK left the EU and we EU nationals had to apply for settled status. 

They only way out is if Scotland becomes independent. May it happen soon!

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