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British ex-pats in Saskatchewan reflect on ‘Brexit’ vote

Jun 25, 2016 | 8:46 AM

There is certainly concern about the future of the United Kingdom with expectations another Scottish independence referendum will lead to the break-up of one of the world’s oldest unions.

Reynolds takes the quintessential British approach.

“Now is time for everyone to buckle down and do what is best for the country.”

British-expats in Saskatchewan have been watching the “Brexit” vote closely.

Simon Reynolds who lives and works in Saskatoon doesn’t think the concept of the E.U. worked to begin with.

“The idea of morphing all these countries under one banner, pretty ridiculous to begin with,” he commented.

Reynolds is looking to the future and the positives that can be found in the result of a vote to leave.

“We have control back again over the destiny, the direction we take,” Reynolds explained. “It is up to us, it is up to the country, the British people to direct that future.”

The owner of Churchill’s British Imports in Saskatoon said more than 60 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds in Britain voted to stay.

“They’ve only know what it’s like to be in the EU, this was a nasty, vicious campaign and the fear of the unknown set into people.”

Tony Badger said it’s been a controversial topic in his store all day Friday.

“People like my father and grandfather know how things used to be and how they’ve changed,” he said.

Others are feeling the uncertainty, more worried about what this means.

“We need to let the dust settle and see where this takes us,” said Tim Johnson, another expat working in Regina. “It is certainly a strike to the establishment.”

Reynolds takes the quintessential British approach.

“Now is time for everyone to buckle down and do what is best for the country.”

Prince Albert’s Malcolm Jenkins moved to Canada from England 50 years ago and said he had a sneaking suspicion the vote would go this way.

Jenkins said the “yes” vote was less about people wanting to leave the European Union and more about immigration.

“The average guy out in the countryside is voting with his instincts, what he sees in his town.   Maybe he goes into a grocery store to buy groceries and the cashier can’t speak English and he thinks, ‘wait a minute we are losing our country’.  If somebody plays the string on that harp enough times it resonates,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said moving forward he fears what backlash there may be from other European countries when it comes to travel between countries.

“You used to have to stop and show your passport and you could go anywhere.  I’m not sure if that will apply to England anymore, (the other countries) will retaliate in some form I’m sure,” he said.

There is certainly concern about the future of the United Kingdom with expectations another Scottish independence referendum will lead to the break-up of one of the world’s oldest unions.

-With files Nigel Maxwell 

 Email smills@cjme.com
 Twitter @smillsSK