What a wonderfully sunny, magical Saturday, not football, not cricket! This three-day event hosted annually, with over 100 community and business participants was staged at the Belper Meadows ‘cricket’ ground with focus on families and the community.
The focus for the EMD was the opportunity to canvas views and concerns in respect of the changes the UK experiences since voting to leave the European Union EU. Extraordinarily informative and exciting discussions were held with many expressions of views from concerned individuals.
Heartfelt stories because of barriers of access to the EU; a lady needed to sell her Spanish home where she had lived, and return to the UK because of the 90-day rule. This rule means that UK citizens may only remain in any EU Country for 90 days in any 180-day period. Needless to say; the upset was apparent.
From dozens, in fact nearly 100 persons with whom discussions were held, just five people expressed their wish to stay outside of the EU and to maintain the losses of the ‘four freedoms’. (The ‘four freedoms’ of goods, capital, services & people). Not wishing to be part of the European Union, the sale of UK goods, difficulty in reversing the decision, not being democratic, retaining jobs for UK people, unfair distribution of EU funds to other EU countries were reasons cited by respondents.
A visitor told a story of their actor friend working in Europe on a visa, the visa expired before their work was complete, were deported and unable to finish their show. Another story of a friend and visa issues, deportation from Sweden and unable to see their children. Feelings were high and palpable. Some apathy was apparent as many believed that politicians would give no opportunity for a re-think. Many were pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the losses that were heartily felt.
Young People
An informative discussion with a teacher of economics was able to highlight the specific problems apparent in the information that is available to those 16 – 18 years. In the teaching of economics; it was explained the young people are given the opportunity to learn about Europe; the customs union, the single market and to learn of trade agreements. Being enabled to make informed choices. The issues also identified in that those who do not study economics have little to no access to information on the EU, the UK, and the workings of democracies. For this cohort, PGSE information that may be provided in school has insufficiencies. This was borne out with many discussions; it was such a brilliant family day that all ages were visitors on this beautiful Saturday. Most of the young people really did not know about the politics of the UK, or the EU; how being outside of the EU impacted on their lives going forward. This naivety felt quite devastating to hear. Positively though, most thought that they would, that they needed, to engage more proactively on politics and the implications concerning the EU to their own lives.
EMD Campaign to Rejoin
It was explained to many visitors that the objective for the EMD and their campaign was to Rejoin the EU. The nearly 95% of those responders expressing pleasure at the thought of a chance of a vote to rejoin the EU, was apparent. It was explained to many visitors that they were in good company, that the massive crowd at the event appeared positively pro-European, a certain happiness pervaded. There appears to be a positive outlook for any future rejoin opportunity and its potential success. This indeed would be cricket!
Kate Warsop
derby4europe 