Dubai: To be or not to be in the European Union — that is the question facing the United Kingdom. With Prime Minister David Cameron’s framework deal to be part of the bloc under scrutiny in Britain, Britons in the UAE are pondering just what life would be like for them if the deal is rejected in a referendum likely due this summer.
There are close to a quarter of a million Britons living in the UAE, and ‘Brexit’ provided food for thought yesterday.
Fresh off the plane from the UK, Sean Hird is well versed in the Brexit developments.
“The general consensus is that people will accept the status quo,” he said. “At the moment, that’s looking like an exit.” “I reckon the final decision will be swung by a combination of three things — Europe’s stability, the migrant crisis and which way [London Mayor] Boris Johnson and [Home Secretary] Theresa May go.”
Others were more concerned that the British tradition of buying a second house in Europe may be at threat. At Marina Mall, expats were mourning the possible loss of easy, visa-less travel.
“I have a house in Majorca and we spend months at a time there,” housewife Lisa Yaxley said. “If I have to renew my visa every month, I’ll be forced to head to the border and back multiple times a year. What a waste of time and money.”
After eight years in Dubai, housewife Jane Archer uses her second home in Cyprus as her bolt-hole but fears that long-term stays there may be a thing of the past.
“The country is bound by sea — how can we possibly go out to renew our visas without hopping on a plane?” she asked.
Over a coffee in the local food court, ex-Londoner Vincent Rowan was happy with the notion of Brexit.
“Britain is strong enough on its own,” he said. The UK has been such a consistent and stable economic trading partner for hundreds of years. The notion that if they exit the EU no one will trade with them is rubbish.”
Economic freedom
Rowan suggested that new-found economic independence resulting from an exit could do wonders for Britain.
“Brexit will change how we do business,” he said. “We will be provided with greater freedom to pursue new international partners, although at the risk of endless bilateral treaties and trade agreements.”
His colonial counterpart, Australian Simon Harvey suggested that Brexit won’t be the end of the world.
“Australia has coped perfectly well without the EU [or similar bloc]. In fact I think they’re more of a liability than an asset.”
Expat teacher Jodie Taylor from Gloucestershire was slightly frazzled as she chomped on a sandwich. After working in the UAE for 10 months, Britain was far from her mind. “I didn’t even know about it,” she said.
After a quick crash course by her Australian and Portuguese friends, Taylor pinpointed her main objection. “It sounds like I’ll need a passport to visit Scotland.”
