Which country will be next to follow us out of the EU ?

It obviously depends upon the circles you move in, even when visiting the EU or anywhere else for that matter. Without exception, everyone we spoke to in Spain, France and Germany were astonished that the UK had voted to leave and could see no benefits in doing so. When on a cruise with a lot of US and Canadians, they too were bemused and confused as to the reasons given by some for leaving. As to whether any other country will leave, based upon 4 days, I think their electorates are smarter than that.

Oh jenniferecckes what wishful thinking for you, living in your ‘little’ dream world
No other European country would be as stupid or as selfish to half (maybe more now) of it’s electorate All my European friends feel so sorry for us and I feel so sorry for us
Yes beverly I have a lot of sour grapes but mainly true sorrow that our grandkids won’t grow up to be as lucky to live in the midst of a large family with all its ups and downs but in the midst of friends for so many years It’s a wrench for me and my age group but it’s a disaster for young people, and all being done in the name of regaining something we ve never lost
I hope the little englanders enjoy this solitary living and let’s hope the spaces left by Europe are filled with people from the rest of the world so we can still be the multicultural society we had thankfully become and we can smile politely at the racists in our midst

Why do you think that anyone would follow you out of of the EU? The idea that people and goods can move freely within a small part of the world is wonderful, it gave so much to so many. I lived in the UK when it joined in the EU, and things that were up until then "exotic" such as spaghetti, sauerkraut, avocados, parmesan cheese and many more became commonplace. Just as the Continent became familiar with Stilton and English bacon. I know so many people who met their partners on their Erasmus study trips and now have firm relationships, as well as multilingual children. If Britain now chooses to opt out, they will still have to sort out their immigration laws, those had nothing to do with the EU.

Why do people think that we care if their friends and family think that we are bonkers?

I voted Remain

Shame we didn't

And that's it

It’s all anecdotal, of course, and depends who you speak to, but we were surprised on our three trips to Poland after the referendum to hear all our young tour guides saying they thought their country should have a vote. Especially as we saw so much evidence of EU investment there.

Yes Galaxy, all my Belgian friends and SIL think the UK is bonkers.

Paddyanne may I respectfully suggest you read the Factortame case.

Sigh. No just a different opinion to you.

Lot of sour grapes since UK deparure from the EU.

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Ireland actually voted to leave the EU but were made to vote again.

No the political wrangling , enormous cost to be worse off, and economic decline of the U.K. plus all the internal Divisions which will be ongoing would have put anyone off. My Italian and Irish families are 100% in favour of the EU and think the U.K. has cut off its nose to spite its face.

And the pandemic has added pressure lemongrove as part of the billions that are being shared out are loans. Repayment will be hard, more especially for Spain who very much rely on tourism as a huge part of their GDP.

JenniferEccles

We visited Amsterdam after the referendum & our tour guide said he envied us for being brave enough to vote leave.

Very true Blinko....if the EU continues hoovering up poor countries that will probably be the beginning of the end for the EU, like all Empires that expand too much the centre will not hold ( to borrow a phrase).
As it is, EU countries will have to cough up more money now to cover the shortfall.

Anecdotal only of course but way back in 2016 after the referendum result, many of the local bars and the hair salon we regularly support shouted out ‘Bien! UK!’ and gave us a thumbs up.
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I would imagine its influenced by your own views. Those I spoke to in Begium for example were astounded at what Britain had done.

Probably France - they’ll get fed up with bailing out all the poorer EU countries.
It will only be one of the richer EU members. They still regret letting Greece join.

Did you ever hear any notes of discontent with the EU from any Spanish people you spoke to Urms when you were there ?

Obviously as with every country, there would be differing opinions, but sometimes just by chatting to a few folk on holiday it’s possible to get an overall feel of how the EU is viewed.

We had a Med cruise after the referendum and I was surprised at how many people said they envied us having been given a vote.

The integrated currency will hamper any decision I think. So glad we never joined the Euro!

Yes it is very early days but other countries could have been watching and waiting to see if we did ever manage to extricate ourselves.

Finally we did it but what a torturous journey we have had.
Thwarted at every turn and on several occasions I doubted it would ever happen.

They are already INDEPENDENT nations ,in a trading union.
Their "sovereignty" was not affected in any way.All rules from the EU were voted for by their representatives.
The sovereignty being sold by Brexiteers was already yours ....
Did England have to ask permission for its referendum? Was it refused? Did England ...and it was England led ...have to march on the streets to force the EU to capitulate to LETTING THEM GO?

So they had sovereignty .Not held captive.You;d think you might have sussed that out by now ...its over 4 years since the vote!!

Welshwife

A lot of EU countries are even more convinced that it is the place to be and there are countries hoping to join.

Let's hope that those countries who are keen to join will also be net contributors, then. Otherwise the EU will be hard pressed to fund it all from the couple of net contributors left.

A lot of EU countries are even more convinced that it is the place to be and there are countries hoping to join.

We're only on DAY 4 Jennifer - I think our EU neighbours might want to see how things go!