Brexit Impasse: British expats worried over the uncertainty of the crisis

World
Europe

02:31

Spain has Europe's largest British-born population, around 300-thousand, and they closely followed the crucial parliament vote on Tuesday. Those in the 'remain' camp say they're worried about their futures, particularly their pensions, health-care and lifestyles. CGTN's Al Goodman paid some of them a visit in the seaside village of San Fulgencio.

British expats in a Spanish bar. This time, watching as their future hangs in the balance. The British Parliament voting down Prime Minister Theresa May's negotiated withdrawal for Britain from the European Union.

This retired policeman from Glasgow has lived in Spain for a dozen years and opposes Britain leaving the EU.

JEFF WISZNIEWSKI BRITISH EXPAT "And that uncertainty is one of these things which I don't think is very comfortable for people in my position."

It's far more uncertainty than the British-born population expected when they first moved to Spain. Many came for Spain's sunny beaches, with mild temperatures, even in winter. Spain has Europe's largest population of British expatriots, some 300-thousand.

AL GOODMAN SPAIN "The older retired British expats, tend to live here, along the Spanish coast. But in Madrid and Barcelona, there are younger British expats, professionals, raising families. What they have in common -- anxiety over Brexit."

This town near the coast, San Fulgencio, has a British population of about three-thousand, and it's where they watched the parliamentary vote at the bar. The crushing defeat of Prime Minister May's deal has them wondering what's next.

JEFF WISZNIEWSKI BRITISH EXPAT "I'm a little bit relieved in the respect. I think we now get more clarity on what is likely to happen, whether that's a Brexit or whether that's a no Brexit."

This retired electronics engineer favors Brexit but says the exit has not gone as he had hoped. He blames the prime minister.

PETER HORSFIELD BRITISH EXPAT "All she's come out with is a bad deal which is at the moment if we voted for her deal we will be stuck in the EU for a hundred years."

They believe continued health care coverage and travel with few restrictions between Spain and Britain is possible after Brexit, given statements by leaders of the two countries. But they hope the EU will give Britain an extension of the Brexit deadline, beyond the end of March.

Al Goodman, CGTN, San Fulgencio, Spain.