SPECIAL REPORT: EU citizens living in the UK worried for post-Brexit future

A move to give EU nationals the right to vote in the general election proposed for December 12 was blocked this week by Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, along with an amendment aimed at enfranchising 16-year-olds

So how do EU citizens in the town feel about it?

Originally from Romania, Miroslav Logos moved to Swindon six years ago to start a new job.

The 23-year-old, of Old Town, said: “I do not agree with Brexit at all.

“I feel it was the wrong choice and sadly it was voted for by the older generation who are stuck in their blind ways, and those who have no knowledge of economy would automatically think that all Europeans are taking their jobs.

“I have to admit sadly the older generations were always low-key racist against Europeans or foreigners, so in their eyes, foreigners are the problem, and this affects our life which is pathetic. “

Miroslav said young people are far more open-minded and many of them are not supporting Brexit.

He added: “The middle or higher class would most definitely agree to stay in Europe and Brexit not to happen at all as they have the knowledge of what it really is. Or even students would prefer to stay in Europe too.”

But despite Brexit, Miroslav said he had never felt rejected in Swindon and is not planning to leave the town. “I haven’t seen a real difference in behaviour or change in views. I think it’s the same, I mean, sadly Swindon is going downhill with most of the shops shutting down. But I blame a small majority of people living here who ruin it for everyone,” he said.

It was revealed earlier this month that 12,275 foreign nationals in Swindon could be deprived of their rights to vote in EU elections after Brexit.

Swindon voted 54,7 per cent to in favour of Brexit in the 2016 referendum, a vote in which EU citizens were not allowed to take part.

Miroslav added: “The worst is that we do not have a right to vote because that’s up to the parliament? What about freedom of speech?”

South Swindon Labour candidate Sarah Church said: “If you are a British national you should be able to vote. If you work here and pay tax like a British national, you should be able to vote. It’s about deciding how to spend your tax money after all.

“Our economy relies so heavily on the work done and tax paid by our EU citizens that they should have the right to vote here - and that right should be reciprocated for us in the EU.”

Steve Rouse from Swindon for Europe is married to an EU national and is campaigning on the streets of Swindon for the UK to remain in the European Union.

The 50-year-old wants EU citizens to still be able to vote in European elections and local government elections after Brexit. 

He said: “My wife is very shy about it, a lot of them feel vulnerable, they don’t want to put their head above the power.

“I know some European citizens who are quite paralysed by the situation because during the referendum they were promised that nothing would change and that they’ll protect their rights and all of the sudden this wasn’t the case.

“Some are even struggling to get their settled status.”

Steve Rouse promoting the European Union and tactical vote

He added: “Most of the Europeans are very happy to see us on the streets.

“But they think they can’t do anything, but they can sign petitions, they can write letters because they still are a constituent to their MP, and they can vote in local elections and if they can get into the strange registration process we have here they can vote in the EU elections.”

EU citizens living in the UK will have at least until December 31 next year to register in the EU settlement scheme if they want to stay in the country after June 2021. Around 2.37 million Europeans are currently working in Britain. Figures have revealed that EU immigration peaked before the referendum in 2016 and dropped shortly after.

For information about visit: gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families