The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in CH

[TobiasM]

	Quote:	fatmanfilms
	You clearly have not heard of the commonwealth, quite amazing ignorance from someone who lived in the UK for so long & has a British passport.

The Commonwealth is not even an economic organisation it’s nothing like the EU, you can’t compare the two.

Given how well Britain treated the Windrush generation, I'm sure Commonwealth countries will be queuing round the block to do deals with such an honourable partner.

[fatmanfilms]

	Quote:
	I had no idea France and Switzerland were in the Commonwealth, thanks for the history lesson!

Malta is in the Commonwealth, I was replying to Odile, as a UK citizen I am not considered a foreigner in Malta.

	Quote:	fatmanfilms
	Malta is in the Commonwealth, I was replying to Odile, as a UK citizen I am not considered a foreigner in Malta.

Are you Maltese? If not, then I'm afraid you're definitely a foreigner there.

This census by their government from a few years ago clearly denotes Brits as forrins...

http://www.independent.com.mt/articl...ta-4459331588/

The empire doesn't exist any more - we can't just rock up and get superstar treatment these days.

[pdofr]

	Quote:	fatmanfilms
	Malta is in the Commonwealth, I was replying to Odile, as a UK citizen I am not considered a foreigner in Malta.

I've gone through the immigration procedure in a Commonwealth country myself. It was nowhere near as easy as turning up under the provisions of rthe European Freedom Of Movement legislation.

P.S. Have you never been told by Air Malta that "second class is full, but seats are available in Business Class", for extra money of course? That one is a sure mark of being a foreigner.

Do you speak Maltese? The Maltese certainly use it to sort out 'who is who'? and they certainly do know the difference ...

In the meantime:

http://www.independent.com.mt/articl...ice-6736193667

[Blueangel]

	Quote:	pdofr
	The Lib Dems looked like they might offer an end to the two party setup when they were formed, but alas, that didn't happen. To be honest, it was that long ago, I've forgotten what did happen to them. The Falklands War was probably a factor.

The old Liberal Party was the other half of the two party system alongsie the Conservatives (Tories and Whigs), until the Labour Party was formed at the turn of the last century.

The LibDem Party as it currently stands, didn't exist during the Falklands War. It was the SDP (remember the Gang of Four?) / Liberal Alliance.

As for their performance now, and speaking as a lifelong Liberal voter, I'm utterly disgusted with them since Cable and Fallon failed to turn up for the Tuesday night votes this week. If Chuka Umunna was leader of Labour, he'd have my vote in a heartbeat.

[Jim2007]

	Quote:	fatmanfilms
	Malta is in the Commonwealth, I was replying to Odile, as a UK citizen I am not considered a foreigner in Malta.

Try moving there after BREXIT and you'll be treated the same as any other third country.

[pdofr]

	Quote:	Blueangel
	The old Liberal Party was the other half of the two party system alongsie the Conservatives (Tories and Whigs), until the Labour Party was formed at the turn of the last century. The LibDem Party as it currently stands, didn't exist during the Falklands War. It was the SDP (remember the Gang of Four?) / Liberal Alliance.

Thanks for the reminder. It's coming back now. SDP History (Wiki)

My commute to work in 1981 took me past one of the places where the SDP were holding one of their initial meetings with their leaders present, entrance fee an entirely affordable one year's membership to the party. To this day I think it would have been more educational to forget about work for that day and witness it first hand.

[fatmanfilms]

	Quote:
	Do you speak Maltese? The Maltese certainly use it to sort out 'who is who'? and they certainly do know the difference ... In the meantime: http://www.independent.com.mt/articl...ice-6736193667

Not all Maltese speak Maltese it's a class thing, mainly Labour voters do speak it at home....... Plenty of the schools don't even teach it.

[fatmanfilms]

	Quote:	Jim2007
	Try moving there after BREXIT and you'll be treated the same as any other third country.

I will have lived there more than 5 years by BREXIT, so it's not something I could try. Plenty of third country workers, including the guy plastering our 5th floor extension from ropes rather than scaffolding.

Things are getting pretty drastic when the very party that permitted Brexit no longer talks of "project fear" and now envisages stockpiling food and a 50 year recovery period.

Whatever happened to "the easiest deal in history", "sunny uplands" and "350m a week for the NHS"?

[TobiasM]

	Quote:	fatmanfilms
	I will have lived there more than 5 years by BREXIT, so it's not something I could try. Plenty of third country workers, including the guy plastering our 5th floor extension from ropes rather than scaffolding.

And what does that tell you about elf an safety regs in Malta?

I am not sure what your point is at the moment? That you’ll be fine living in Malta post Brexit? You know the Queen is no longer Head of State and it’s a Republic? They might ask you to leave!

[TobiasM]

	Quote:
	Things are getting pretty drastic when the very party that permitted Brexit no longer talks of "project fear" and now envisages stockpiling food and a 50 year recovery period. Whatever happened to "the easiest deal in history", "sunny uplands" and "350m a week for the NHS"?

In 50 years 350million pounds will be the equivalent of 35 quid.

[fatmanfilms]

	Quote:	TobiasM
	And what does that tell you about elf an safety regs in Malta? I am not sure what your point is at the moment? That you’ll be fine living in Malta post Brexit? You know the Queen is no longer Head of State and it’s a Republic? They might ask you to leave!

The H&S laws are the same as everywhere in the EU, owner is criminally responsible & can go to prison.

[TobiasM]

	Quote:	fatmanfilms
	Not all Maltese speak Maltese it's a class thing, mainly Labour voters do speak it at home....... Plenty of the schools don't even teach it.

I think Odiles point is that you are a foreigner in Malta, no matter the language that is spoken. So with Brexit it’s all dependant on what sort of deal is struck between the UK and Malta, you are right it might be OK because it’s a commonwealth nation, but what with the way the UK treats commonwealth migrants, I don’t think there will be a huge rush to open doors to British citizens.

[Chuff]

	Quote:	TobiasM
	I think Odiles point is that you are a foreigner in Malta, no matter the language that is spoken. So with Brexit it’s all dependant on what sort of deal is struck between the UK and Malta, you are right it might be OK because it’s a commonwealth nation, but what with the way the UK treats commonwealth migrants, I don’t think there will be a huge rush to open doors to British citizens.

So by this awesome logic, commonwealth countries such as Malta will suddenly break political and social ties with their strongest partner?

Mmm'kay.

[TobiasM]

	Quote:	Chuff
	So by this awesome logic, commonwealth countries such as Malta will suddenly break political and social ties with their strongest partner? Mmm'kay.

I didn’t say that, anyway the Commonwealth isn’t an economic union, there is currently no free trade amongst the commonwealth it’s an idea that has never come into fruition. I am still non the wiser as to the benefits of the Commonwealth, and it’s clear that there are more economical reasons for Malta to remain in the EU as opposed to being a member of the commonwealth.

Ummmmm K.

[Blueangel]

	Quote:	Chuff
	So by this awesome logic, commonwealth countries such as Malta will suddenly break political and social ties with their strongest partner?

Take this with a pinch of salt if you will, but my old boss is Maltese. She used to be shipping manager in Malta before marrying her British husband and moving to the UK. She always said that Malta's closest and most important trading partner was Italy, and that everyone involved in large scale trade spoke fluent Italian. English was for officialdom and the hospitality industry.

[Jim2007]

	Quote:	TobiasM
	So with Brexit it’s all dependant on what sort of deal is struck between the UK and Malta.

Treaties are between the EU and third countries, not individual member states... The CTA is allowed because it is recognised in the EU treaties.