Riverdalians ponder Brexit

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Following Britain’s vote to quit the European Union, Riverdalians with ties to the U.K. were pondering what Brexit meant for them – and their travel plans – and opinions were split.

Riverdale resident Anna Mars, who was born in England, viewed the June 23 vote in favor of leaving the EU as a mistake, and blamed the “leave” vote on what she described as widespread resentment of immigrants.

I think it's a step backwards to come out,” Ms. Mars said.

The public mood in England has “become very racist,” she said. “It's become very anti-foreigners.” 

England voted strongly for quitting the EU – a move known as Brexit – by about 53 percent to 47 percent. This compares to an overall U.K. vote of 52 percent to 48 percent.

The “leave” camp included Ms. Mars’ friends in Britain, who did not seem to share her objections to Brexit.

Everybody I knew wanted out, everybody I talked to,” she said. 

Other Riverdalians, such as Linda Halcott, whose son lives in England, said Britain would emerge from Brexit as a strong country, even though the immediate aftermath of the divorce may be difficult.

I fear the immigration issue will be imposed upon them by [German Chancellor] Angela Merkel,” she said. “The immigration issue will be a disaster, because the taxpayers will have to bear the burden of housing them, educating them, feeding them, and then they will be taking the jobs away from some of the people who might be in a similar boat but [came] there legally.”

But Britain “will recover,” Ms. Halcott said. “They’ll find a way because England is always a great country. They were an empire and I would like to see them become that empire again.” 

Does her son agree? Ms. Halcott said she was not sure.

“I don’t know if he voted, I don’t know what side of the fence he’s on,” she said. “It might not affect him personally … he’s too removed from the situation.” 

Extricating Britain from the EU is a complex and lengthy process, expected to take years. Analysts and pundits in the U.K. agree that it appears unlikely that British citizens will need visas to travel to the EU for holidays after Brexit is complete, but visas will probably be required for working or living in the EU. Concerns remain high among Brexit opponents.

“I love the fact that I can go live anywhere in Europe,” Ms. Mars said. 

Whatever their views on Brexit, Riverdalians interviewed for this article agreed on one thing: The referendum’s results were unexpected.

Brexit, European Union, Daniel Chavkin

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