While both the houses of parliament are thrashing out minute details of the Brexit process, it is time to pause and reflect on how Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) would affect EU nationals who are living here and conversely to British citizens living in European countries. The media feels that the British Government is under heavy moral obligation to reassure EU nationals that they will not be forced to leave the UK after Brexit. But the government has vowed to overturn a demand by the Lords to guarnatee the rights of these people. At the same time, what would happen to British citizens who are living in EU countries like Spain or France? They would have bought properties in Europe. Would they be driven out too? It will be morally wrong to drive out people en masse as morality is about right or wrong and not ifs and buts. So it is wrong to imagine that if we throrw out EU nationals, Britons will be similarly thrown out.
How would all this affect us Indians? EU nationals from Poland, Romania etc are stronger and much hard working and have much energy and dynamism. They are prepared to do any kind of work and have taken away jobs in the building and construction industry from the Asians. Therefore, looking at the whole scenario from a non-magnanimous point, we Indians would be better off when the Romanians and the Poles return to their respective countries.
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
