A view from Anglesey on the EU referendum - Part 1

It is just unbelievable that the United Kingdom (against the predictions) has voted by a majority of 51.9 per cent and a high turnout of 72pc to leave the 28-nation European Union (EU) after more than 40 years of membership of essentially a bureaucratic nightmare.

The build-up to the referendum here on both sides has been a case of ‘scaremongering’ particularly in the case of the Remain camp, which has predicted dire consequences such as economic ruin, less security and a bleak future for our children, grandchildren and future generations.

As for the Leave camp, they are promising the 350 million pounds sterling sent weekly to the EU in Brussels (once we depart within two years) will be diverted to boosting the national health service, more funding to the building of new schools, hospitals and keeping open facilities such as libraries and leisure centres.

As an expat in Bahrain, the campaign on both sides was bewildering with so many promises and statements made on both sides by both politicians and celebrities alike who predicted about what the future holds, for the majority of the populace it was too much to take in and very confusing.

In my opinion, the biggest issue appeared to be the question of uncontrolled immigration, as the UK has far too many foreigners including many illegals flooding in from the EU and outside countries every year, which has made many people nervous about their job security and the presence of many unskilled workers on lower salaries and pricing out the native population, as well as importing an alien way of life such as their culture, traditions and food in their community and diluting our way of life.

With the Leave campaign winning, the hope now is that immigration will be slowed down to manageable levels and that more selective and qualified workers/immigrants will be allowed in and not just anyone and his dog, as many exploit the system by then bringing in family, relatives and then claim free benefits for their children, schooling, healthcare and council housing for free despite not paying in to the national welfare system and sending the money to their respective countries, particularly the less well-off former Communist states of East Europe, even when dependents and relatives in some cases don’t even reside in the UK.

Some of these people somehow jump ahead in the queue of people born in the UK who have paid into the system all their life and also deprive many young families a decent roof over their heads, who have been on waiting lists for years in some cases.

Going back briefly to arriving back in UK on June 1, whilst at passport control in Manchester Airport we were delayed for some reason with some people getting frustrated saying, “What is the point of having a passport when so many illegals get in without any form of documentation? A number of us nodded in approval.

This historic vote has opened up the chance for the UK Parliament in Westminster, London to start to pass laws without the interference of the unelected European Commission and to freely trade with whoever we want worldwide without restrictions from Brussels and even the deportation of prisoners from the EU to be sent back to their respective countries to serve out their prison terms, which I believe under current law is not acceptable, due in some cases due to Human Rights issues. 

(to be continued tomorrow)