10th July 2016

Well, what's it to be: go back home or take out French citizenship? Only two options I'm afraid....
I always like to look back at history when pondering the future. Would we have called a referendum in Churchill's day?  For those who haven't yet read my war-time novel VICHYSSOISE (on sale right now, only 99p/99c), there's a message very relevant to today. It's about choosing the right leader. Everything hangs on it. To this day France still regrets electing Petain in 1940 - totally the wrong man, who hadn't a clue about dealing with Hitler. So, a message to today's Tories at this crucial time: think long and hard whom to elect as next PM. We know it'll be a woman, but the wrong choice could bring repercussions greater than we know. Forget personality or likeability: it's all to do with inner strength, political experience, education and an even balance of mind in a crisis. Ask any Frenchman. In this crazy world we don't need another Petain!
....but if I take out French citizenship and the French forget my message and elect Marine Le Pen in the 2017 elections?  Damned if I do, damned if I don't....

3rd July 2016

A week of Shakespearean tragedy. Cameron stabbed Britain in the back by calling a referendum for internal party reasons, Boris stabbed Cameron in the back by voting Leave, and a man called Gove stabbed Boris to further his own PM ambitions.  The result? Pretty much 50:50 in the end. Hardly a clarion call by the people. All I've met who voted Leave are now regretting their decision! Such chaos. The very reason people don't like the EU is because they're unelected by the public. An oxymoron democracy! Yet, come October, Britain will have a new PM and guess what? That person will be unelected by the public! If only everyone had read Sarkozy's views on how to stop non-EU immigration:  restrict Schengen free movement to EU nationals only. Come back Nicolas, we need you! Widening the scope globally, the only interesting thing is the emergence of so many women leaders. Joining Merkel we could soon have Theresa May (UK), Hillary Clinton (US), and frighteningly Marine Le Pen (France).  The witches of Cawdor stirring a political broth, or at last women coming to the rescue of a stupid world? I'm out of here. Brexit? No simply the views of an ex-Brit!

19th June 2016

Father's Day but Him indoors is not relaxed...
It's that dratted D-Day on Thursday when the referendum is set to storm the Normandy beaches and maybe force us back to the white cliffs of Dover. As Lord Sugar says, 'this ain't no General Election, where you can later say o.k. we got it wrong, so let's vote 'em out next time'. Out of the EU is out forever apparently.  I've already signed the petition to cancel the referendum completely that's trawling cyberspace. Have you signed yet? Here's the link: www.petition.parliament.uk. Worth a try anyway, if it'll stop this dangerous madness affecting Britain. But, if it goes ahead as seems likely we'll all have to wait 'til the early hours of Friday morning before knowing the result that will affect all our futures (and the rest of the world via the knock-on effect. Chaos theory at its worst!) Not even any exit polls on TV Thursday night either. 
..and you wonder why Him indoors is so uptight, despite it being His day. He's already ordered in the Valium and of course extra whisky! 

24th April 2016

Some think that yesterday should be renamed Shakespeare Day in honour of his birthday and renown. Fame is a wonderful thing, earned or not.  Did you see Obama's speech on TV?  No-one can deny he has great charm and charisma. If you've to make a speech, you could do worse than copy this man's style:  slow, measured speech, with intermittent pauses for effect. Any friend of Churchill's is a friend of mine. And certainly he was able to show how wrong an Out vote would be in the June referendum, especially for future trade agreements with the US. Trouble is, globally, people are disappointed with him. When inaugurated, such high hopes for world peace. But, seemingly, he's been too weighed down with domestic policies to make the dream possible. And then I read that here in France Mme Le Pen is planning a trip to the UK to canvass for an Out vote. Don't be fooled:  her only objective is for France to follow the UK's lead so that the EU will be broken up completely, she can rule her own country, and we can all start fighting each other again. Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more? Only the British can stop it on 23 June.
N.B. Want to know more about what happened in France in the war? Come to my free, online Facebook party this Friday. On the day click on this link and enjoy French singers/videos of the 1940s era and win fab. prizes
https://www.facebook.com/events/670363729772093/

3rd April 2016

The media has been slow to report on British expat anxiety. You have to wonder at the PM's commitment to staying in the EU when he has done little to facilitate the promised end of 'no votes for nationals outside the UK for 15+ years'. Of the 13 million UK people with state pensions, a full 10% live abroad - most of whom would vote In if they were given a vote. The build up to the June referendum is having a huge impact on currency markets too. The pound has fallen to its lowest in more than a year against the euro. It's social media that's reflecting the panic the most. There's a closed group cataloguing the miseries of those wanting to go back to the UK. Such high hopes when they first set out, enjoying the sunshine and retirement, then petit a petit - usually after 10 years - the dawning realisation that 'real' life had been put on hold and it was time to go home. Will everyone sell in time to benefit from the current 1.24 euros:pound exchange rate? Or, in the event of a June Brexit, will they suffer frozen pensions and no state health care? Current poll of polls: In: 44%, Out: 42%. Too close to call. No nails left here.

24th January 2016

What's yours?  Him indoors says 'a double whisky'. Understandable, but no. What I mean is: what's your plan B?  The question's aimed at other British expats currently living in France. All hinges on David Cameron's risky ploy at the Feb. 18th EU council meeting to convince the other EU countries to agree to the UK being treated differently to everyone else. If yes, then the looming referendum is likely to be held on June 23rd; if no, probably in September. Cameron doesn't want to choose 2017 because that clashes with the French and German general elections, in France pitting Alan Juppe against Sarkozy in the Republicain race!  For some of us, Plan B will entail taking out French citizenship. Others plan to go back to the UK, with all that entails. Trouble is, many of the latter find they've fallen off the UK housing ladder and must consider a flat. But, but, you say, what about the mechant, naughty Bruno? Yes indeed. Although 13 this year, he's the fittest of all of us, and certainly couldn't go to a flat, but if we took him to a kennel (which we won't) that would cause a major rift in the family. So, for us, it'd need plan Z.  What's that?  Him indoors was right all along. Time to hit the bottle.

17th January 2016

Yesterday we received election papers.Why on earth did the UK government agree to hold an EU referendum?  It will cause absolute disaster to the good British people if a majority vote Out. Too many are looking at comparatively trivial issues and ignoring future worldwide perils. Should unimaginable terrorism or further climate calamity strike, the UK would be out on a limb with no signed-up friends or allies. And, in the event of an Out vote, Scotland would surely soon call another union referendum in order to further split the UK. Remember: for over 70 years the signed-up members of Europe have not fought each other in war and have supported each other. And, even Iran are apparently new allies - but only because of pressure from a consortium of nations. For God's sake: having friends and allies is the only important issue. So, vote to stay In.  Today it's Him indoors' birthday. I couldn't understand when he said he'd been invited to Swan Lake. Yes, he said, it'll be because of all the flooding.  No, no, it's not a ballet paper you've received, it's a ballot!  Pity.

22 November 2015

Last Wednesday the British House of Lords voted 214-116 against Baroness Miller's amendment to grant the vote to all British citizens living in the EU. Stupid! Why? It reduces the eligible number of voters in the forthcoming EU referendum, the very people who would naturally vote to stay In! Crucially that vote will determine all our futures, both expats and those living in the UK. 
British expats: no longer EU citizens free to work, set up businesses, study, retire in EU countries nor benefit from subsidised health services across the EU. The Euro Health Insurance card 'EHIC' would cease to be available, so emergency health cover from Britain would cease. Private health cover would be mandatory but not available to those with pre-existing conditions!  
UK citizens: risk Britain's current buoyant economy plus future investment possibilities, widespread job losses, smaller ranking in the world, lose 28 EU friends, jeopardise the current 70 years of no war in Europe. Imagine a sudden terrorist attack with no friends. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

So, members of the House of Lords: do you realise the implications of what you did last Wednesday?

19 April 2015

Man never learns.  Three weeks away from a General Election and what are the British concerned about?  Domestic policies. Full stop.  It's the 21st century and, despite all that warring history to learn from, still each country only thinks about themselves. The English in particular have an incredibly insular mindset. I'm disappointed in Cameron. He's made 2 big errors: one he escaped from by the skin of his teeth - the referendum to separate from Scotland - and the second agreeing to a referendum on the EU. Globally, who're still killing each other? Undemocratic, uncivilised, insular people. National security and immigration can only be seriously addressed if all nations act together. France knows that, Merkel knows that. The only way to alleviate tensions and negotiate seriously with uncivilised warring factions is from a position of collective strength. A Brexit will only make Britain weaker. Since the EU was formed: no wars in Europe. It eliminated extreme forms of lethal nationalism. Where's a Gorbachev now to break down walls when you need him?

19 October 2014

There are fads with the way the general public thinks, largely driven by the media, but it can be dangerous.  Lately the English seem to be much taken with the blokish Nigel Farage. Everyone thinks how wonderful to have a politician who understands the common man.  Don't be fooled. Following a UK withdrawal from the EU, Steve Peers, Prof. in Law at the University of Essex, says:
a. The borders rules alone would apply, therefore more intrusive questions about the purpose of each UK citizen's visit, checks on the intention to return and level of income, potential for visa requirements on UK citizens.  b. You'd be part of the EU's entry-exit system, keeping a record of all movements of third-country nationals into/out of EU territory. You'd be subject to integration rules, e.g. need to speak the language of host country before getting visa status. c. Receipt and upgrading of British pensions would not be possible. d. Strict family reunion rules with waiting periods and integration language requirements. e. Intending migrants, as with current EU British residents, would be subject to quotas and preference rules on labour migration.  And much more. So,, for UK expats in France, be very careful whom you vote for in 2015......

9th March 2014

Warm sunshine outside, but on the news talk about war - comme d'habitude!  Doesn't matter where in the world, there's always a megalomaniac leader somewhere who wants to wage war with another. But here's the rub: he doesn't fight himself, just uses his country's people as cannon-fodder to achieve his own spurious aims.  In Britain, Deputy leader Clegg is to have a live debate this month with UKIP's Farage over whether to vote In or Out of the EU.  If being in the EU means an end to war in a continent which historically has been involved in countless wars and which instigated two world wars, then I'm In. I know the EU is flawed at the moment. Such an enormous ideal is bound to involve difficulties. Just ask Texans when they originally were coerced into signing the US Declaration. Yet now? They know a united US (complete with flaws!) is better than another Civil War! So, the more countries that join the EU - even if presently against it - means pushing those terrible wars further and further to the extremes of the globe. I even wrote a controversial book about France in WW2 called 'Vichyssoise' - a cold, murky saga about why one ordinary man (Petain) allowed himself to be drawn into Hitler's mindset - in a vain attempt to show why man goes to war.  So, come on Britain. I want many more countries to sign up too. The only way forward for peace.  

5th May 2013

I'm worried about UKIP. It's a political party that's insidiously creeping up the voting lines. A lot of people voted for them in this week's local elections in England. For me, they're like the BNP in sheep's clothing - racism under another name.  Friends say 'why worry? We live in France now'.  But, already - buoyed by their success - the UKIP leader has asked David Cameron to hold that promised In:Out referendum on the EU 'before the next general election in 2015'.  And I seriously think the result would be 'Out'.
In France, one year after his election, Francois Hollande continues to plummet in the ratings.  The doughboy has received a pin-prick and is slowly deflating as we speak.  Despite his success in Mali and the recent Airbus deals, no-one likes him. Yesterday's French press reported that rich people and expats(!) are leaving France in droves. High rates of tax, rising unemployment, diving economic results....  For English expats in France, it's all very disheartening. Even if we wanted (or were pushed in the future!) to go back to England, many of us have fallen off the 'housing ladder price lists' so would struggle. But, Him indoors isn't worried.  Margaret Thatcher might have said 'You kip if you want to, but we're not for turning...'  

13th January 2013

I'm feeling unsettled. And the British news doesn't help.  Half the British public believe that the UK should withdraw from the EU if Cameron can't negotiate things in his favour.  But Merkel and Hollande would never agree to opening up this Pandora's box:  every EU member would then want to tinker in their favour also.  Cameron received quite a shock this week when his greatest ally, the US, told him not to be so silly and to stick to the status quo in the EU.  So, Cameron's stuck between a rock and a hard place:  should he pander to the man in the street (i.e. the voter) and have a national referendum (probably the biggest gamble of his life and which would cause we expats to shiver in our beds), or heed wise old owls like Lord Heseltine and even Obama by pledging to stay in the EU. Either way Labour are odds-on to win the next general election.
Yet more news arrives to make us expat pensioners in France clutch at our purse-strings. A wonderful, bigger flat-rate pension is being unrolled tomorrow by Cameron. At last, the full amount for all pensioners including expats. Hurrah? Well, not for us. Those already in receipt of a British pension won't benefit and must stick with their original, smaller, payment - the lowest in the EU! Him indoors says all this is a mere EUphamism.
Hurry up sun - this is supposed to be the south of France. In every sense I'm feeling chilled.

21st October 2012

So the Scots are to have an in/out referendum on being part of the UK.  I fear this is the stepping stone towards one for the UK being part of the EU.  We all know what the answer to that one would be. I remember a certain phrase from the past:  Maggie, Maggie, Maggie - out, out, out!   In times of uncertainty, people cling to their own little tribe - a warm, cosy unit where we all feel safe.  But, politically, it's an illusion.  Things have changed.
As an ageing expat I realise that the England I miss isn't really the one I left behind. The England of my youth seemed so much better than the England of today. Fond memories of respect for our elders and authority, coupled with the absence of global TV, meant that our ignorance was bliss.  But now no-one wears rose-tinted glasses any more:  the harsh reality of life is laid before us every minute of every day. Today's British youth have never experienced the appalling casualties of war - and the ones who did are now almost gone.  We must never forget - ever. The recent Noble Peace Prize awarded to the EU is very timely. Current EU inequalities, with some democratic tweaking, can in time all be ironed out. For centuries life in the old tiny, nationalistic countries proved disastrous.  So, if we get an in/out referendum on the EU - vote IN, loud and clear.....much better than the alternative.