Bremain in Spain is gaining ground in the media, with recent coverage from radio channels, TV stations and print publications mushrooming throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide. The message advocated by Bremain in Spain – that the rights of UK citizens in the EU and EU citizens in the UK must be protected, instead of using them as bargaining chips – is increasingly reaching a receptive audience.
The level of coverage increased phenomenally after four Bremain in Spain members appeared in The Guardian and then group Chair, Sue Wilson, appeared in front of the Select Committee for Exiting the European Union on 18 January, to discuss the rights of UK citizens living in Spain – and especially pensioners who are reliant on reciprocal healthcare agreements. The Select Committee session was shown as live footage on BBC Parliament TV, where it was viewed by many journalists and editors.
Sue was then interviewed by Spain’s ‘Cadena Ser Radio’s show Hoy por Hoy’, ‘BBC Radio 4’, ‘LBC’ and ‘Talk Radio Europe’: the latter aired 20 minutes of Sue discussing citizen’s rights, pensions, healthcare and other key concerns.
Press coverage in Spain has appeared in ‘The Local.es’, ‘Sur’, ‘Majorca Daily’, ‘The Olive Press’ and ‘Costa News’. Bremain has also appeared in the ‘Irish Times’ and ‘France 24’, which ran a satirical picture by artist-activist and Bremain member, Madelina Kay, depicting her version of UKIP’s infamous “Breaking Point” poster.
Other news stories have appeared in ‘The Asian Age’, ‘World Breaking News’ and ‘Gulf News’, as well as information portals including ‘iExpats’, ‘Expats Forum’ and ‘Health Insurance Daily’. A blog entry from Argentinian investigative journalist, Rodolfo Walsh, quoted Sue Wilson.
Meanwhile, some Bremain members have been filmed for documentaries. China Global Television Network (CGTN) recently filmed Sue Wilson and Karen Watling in the Valencian Community region, while approaches have been made from ITV and Associated Press to interview members.
At the time of writing, many other articles and news stories are in the pipeline. Bremain in Spain has also seen requests for membership of its Facebook group page increase exponentially since January 2017. Further success stories will be coming soon.
Today’s release of UK Citizens in Europe: Towards an Alternative White Paper on the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill was met with immediate press coverage. As the media gets time to digest the Government’s White Paper, and look at the detail of the ‘Alternative’ – links will be added below:
Olive Press – Spain (2nd Feb 2017)
“British expat group publishes alternative white paper on government Brexit negotiations”
http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2017/02/02/british-expat-group-publishes-alternative-white-paper-government-brexit-negotiations/
The Guardian (2nd Feb 2017)
“Alternative white paper by Britons in EU says rights must be protected”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/feb/02/alternative-white-paper-britons-eu-rights-protected
UK Citizens in Europe: Towards an Alternative White Paper on the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill
On the eve of the Government’s White Paper publication, UK citizens living in the EU present their ‘UK Citizens in Europe – Towards an Alternative White Paper’.
This is the biggest group of British citizens’ organisations in Europe working together for the first time to call for their serious concerns to be acted on before Article 50 is triggered. The groups represent thousands of British citizens living and working across the continent.
‘UK Citizens in Europe – Towards an Alternative White Paper’ sets out clear concerns about being able to live, work, run a business or study in the European countries where many have made lives for themselves and their families.
Authors, Jane Golding and Jeremy Morgan QC added:
“Following the Supreme Court ruling, UK MPs have both the opportunity and the clear responsibility to make approval of the bill to trigger Article 50 conditional on safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of over a million UK citizens living in Europe (as well as around 3 million EU citizens in the UK). This should happen at the earliest opportunity.” (J.Golding)
“Our paper shows that the complex position of individuals who have moved to another EU country. It is clear that unless all rights are preserved, many people will have no choice but to give up their homes and their lives and return to their country of origin” (J.Morgan)
The signatories of the Alternative White Paper are:
For further information or to speak to the authors contact:
Jane Golding +49 171 1487159 jama.golding-wilkens@t-online.de
Jeremy Morgan +39 368 8714943 jeremymorganit@gmail.com
Daniel Tetlow: +49 1573 370 4205 daniel@kamanga.net
We are pushing for amendment NC99 for Parliamentary approval of the final terms of withdrawal from the EU.
This would give MPs a meaningful vote when they actually know the terms of the Brexit deal.
At the moment, all The Prime Minister has offered is: accept whatever deal we come back with or leave with nothing. We believe that Parliament should be firmly in control of the process, and should have the final say on the exit terms.
Email your MP – TODAY!
We need you to make sure your MP knows about the amendments to keep Parliament in control of the Brexit process.
An an example of the kind of email or letter you could send is available on the Represent Us website HERE
This is a Britain for Europe podcast. On January 16 2017, Professor A.C. Grayling was invited by Bristol for Europe to speak at Colston Hall, Bristol.
Stephen Perry hosted the evening which was organised by Bristol for Europe. You can listen the his address below courtesy of Sixteen Million Rising.
