TW
5

The initial Brexit deal, or the first phase, makes quite good reading for the one million British citizens living on the European continent, and it appears that the rights we enjoy at the moment will remain the same post-Brexit - from the vote in the local elections to free medical care. So that is a big relief. The concern is for British people who may decide to move to Spain after Britain has left the European Union. In other words, the new residents; but that is an issue for the short-term.

I suspect that British citizens living in Majorca will have to exchange their green residence certificate to a residents card, similar to the old-style residence permit which is issued to non-European citizens.

I must admit that I am pleased to see that we will be keeping the vote in the local elections. At least the British voice will be heard at council level.

Turning to the politics of this initial Brexit deal, I suspect that certain sections of the Conservative Party will not be too impressed. Basically, the referendum was fought around immigration but three million EU workers in Britain will be allowed to stay. In some cases you get the impression that little has changed, so what is the point of leaving in the first place? And the whole mess is going to cost the British taxpayer in excess of 50 billion pounds.

So, thankfully our lives in Spain will not be affected but judging by this deal it sounds rather strange that Britain is actually leaving. It will certainly rank as one of the most expensive divorce deals.