Blue badges may be rejected

life

Disabled drivers are being warned that their blue badges may not be accepted in popular European holiday destinations this summer due to Brexit.

Be aware if going on holiday.

Siwheels73

Can't say I blame Europe!

Tori_Scope

I found this article on the BBC about this, if anyone would like to read more about it

Thank you for sharing @life! Do you have any holiday plans?

Biblioklept

Another thing to add to the "Brexit was a stupid idea" list 

Cartini

Biblioklept said:

Another thing to add to the "Brexit was a stupid idea" list 

That`s subjective.

bg844

Cartini said:
That`s subjective.

I agree. I personally like not being in the EU, everyone has an opinion on these things. 

Biblioklept

bg844 said:

Cartini said:
That`s subjective.

I agree. I personally like not being in the EU, everyone has an opinion on these things. 

A genuine question, not meant to be argumentative, but what do you like about it? I haven't seen anything at all that has changed. Except sky rocketing prices. 
None of the Brexit promises have been delivered and I just don't see what has changed at all, let alone in a way for someone to like? 

Cartini

bg844 said:

Cartini said:
That`s subjective.

I agree. I personally like not being in the EU, everyone has an opinion on these things. 

Indeed.  I agree with you on that point.  The reason I only put "it`s subjective" is because I didn`t want to start an "in / out" bun fight.  Leavers and remainers all have their own thoughts / beliefs and, unfortunately, "never the twain shall meet".

Biblioklept

I promise I'm not trying to start an "in / out" bun fight, I'm genuinely curious as to reasons someone is glad we're out as I can't see anything that has changed yet. 

So was wondering if it is the idea of being "under" someone or part of something and glad to not be? 

L_Volunteer

Curiosity and wanting to learn new things are really positive @Biblioklept. You have approached this really respectively too. I will be interested to hear people's thoughts and see how this thread progresses 

life

@Tori_Scope no holiday plans. Haven't been anywhere other than London all my life but hopefully will visit a different country in the near future. Egypt top of my list. Always wanted to visit the pyramids there. Watched so many documentaries on them. And you're welcome 👍

@Biblioklept I'd also like to know what benefits Brexit brought 🤔

Tori_Scope

Wow, Egypt would be amazing @life! I've never been, but agree it'd be interesting to learn about the history, and see the pyramids. Where else would you like to visit? 

Visiting some other places around the UK might be a good place to start, too, if you want to get used to travelling around a bit first. That's what I've been doing. I haven't been abroad since I was a teenager, but it's something I'd definitely like to push myself to do!

janer1967

I've been to Egypt a couple of times the pyramids were a disappointment j6st located across the road from local shops and high rise flats 

The rest of historic sites are great however now I'm in a wheelchair I wouldn't advise going as not very accessible lots of sand surfaces , steps up or.down to everything 

Back to original post will be interesting to see if Spain allow blue badge when we go later in year 

Cartini

Biblioklept said:

 I can't see anything that has changed yet. 

So was wondering if it is the idea of being "under" someone or part of something and glad to not be? 

It can often take a long time for any change to show benefits, leaving the EU will be no different.

I thought the EEC / Common Market was a very good idea and would definitely vote to rejoin a free trade agreement so long as we retained control of our laws, our courts, our borders, our money and not be under the control of the Human Rights Court. 

But I would not, definitely not, vote to re-join the EU in its current form.  I`m totally against open borders and free movement of people.  I doubt, at the 1975 referendum to remain in the EEC, people would have voted yes had they known it would morph in to the monster it is today.

We have thousands of people in this nation who are homeless, thousands who are living (and dying) on the streets and thousands on the breadline.  Our services infrastructure is creaking because it can`t cope with the amount of people using it.  We have people from European countries working here but claiming child benefit for children in another country.  I find all this appalling when people in our country are in such dire straits.  A proportion of money we gave the EU each year is used to top up the coffers of smaller, poorer, countries, the principal of which I don`t disagree with.  In reality I do disagree with that reallocation of money because we currently have so many, and much more important, issues to deal with nationally.

And before anyone calls me racist or xenophobic - I`ve been all round the world, I`ve sat with, eaten with, drunk with and, on one or two very rare moments, danced with people from numerous other countries I`ve visited...... have you?

Biblioklept

I find that really interesting. I guess I'm kind of the opposite and wish there was more free movement globally. I don't understand why there is need for borders or restrictions on where people can live just based on where they were born. I love social mobility and see free movement as intrinsic to it. I also can't see how disallowing free movement in the UK will help the problem of our own homeless and those living in poverty. It would take a government to actually genuinely care to help which we've not had in quite some time. 

Cartini said:

It can often take a long time for any change to show benefits, leaving the EU will be no different.

I thought the EEC / Common Market was a very good idea and would definitely vote to rejoin a free trade agreement so long as we retained control of our laws, our courts, our borders, our money and not be under the control of the Human Rights Court. 

I understand what you're saying here but I do have serious concerns about there being no oversight for the government, and don't trust them to act in the people's best interests without oversight. It's an interesting discussion point

bg844

Hi @Biblioklept
Thanks for your question, I have only just spotted it due to me having notifications turned off. As you said we don't want to turn things sour and I'd like to keep a friendly relationship on Scope too. 
There's a few reasons why I like Britain being independent of the European Union.

-The ending of free movement. The UK now being able to prioritise skilled workers first for visas, bringing in the points-based system that the majority of this country voted for back in the 2019 General Election (regardless of if you like Boris Johnson, that's what was promised) and people who choose to settle in our country having some level of English language.

-Lawmaking. Decisions that affect Britain being made in Britain.

-The UK ETA. Just like many other countries such as the USA or Australia, visa-free travel is permitted but you must apply for permission first. I like this idea as studies and surveys from foreign nationals and governments have shown this is an effective measure in controlling what kind of people you want to visit your country (tried looking for a few links but I can't find the exact articles I read as it was a while ago). When I visited the USA I had to pay a small charge for the privilege, but worth it in my opinion because here at home, being one of the most travelled through counties in the world, we need a system which can protect it's citizens. The ETA for those countries take literally 5 minutes to do and it'd help the UK Government with immigration numbers too. I think it's a fair idea because the EU are doing this from next year too, £5 won't exactly break the bank if you can afford to travel and they last 3 years. Ireland as the obvious exception.

-Fairer access to UK welfare. I don't personally think it's right that previously, EU citizens had the opportunity to claim some sort of benefits. I think 5 years is fair as was proposed in 2019. This can have a positive affect on British people in the long run.

-Trade deals. This one speaks for itself, this one is a massive benefit.

-Blue Passports. My current one expires in February 2023 and I am going Greece in September so I will renew it in January close to expiry. This might sound strange but I like the idea of having one, it'll make me feel proud to be British and a reminder of why I think we are the best country in the world. 

I understand your feelings on global price increases and the crisis with the cost of living but things are sky rocketing in every country. I do believe this is partly due to the Ukraine crisis and I am not saying Brexit hasn't affected things but no one can deny our government haven't tried to offer financial support this year, though I think they should go further. Things undoubtedly get worse before they get better so expect improvement but not straightaway.

Once again, thanks for your question and although you probably don't agree with my points nobody will ever agree on certain issues. That's why I choose not to comment on political posts on any forum, I take some time to make my own judgment when the situation occurs. I am not close to any political party and my votes have swung before.

Biblioklept

I've found your post really interesting and it's helped me have a better understanding. Of course there are things I don't agree with and there are some parts I'm torn on or do actually agree with. I've never spoken to or read comments from anyone that is still pro-Brexit so I find it insightful so I appreciate that you took the time to write and send it. 

bg844 said:

I understand your feelings on global price increases and the crisis with the cost of living but things are sky rocketing in every country. I do believe this is partly due to the Ukraine crisis and I am not saying Brexit hasn't affected things but no one can deny our government haven't tried to offer financial support this year, though I think they should go further. Things undoubtedly get worse before they get better so expect improvement but not straightaway.

Lots of EU countries don't seem as badly impacted because of their Government policies, I was shocked to learn about EDF and France's energy bills!! But you're right, things seem bad globally at the moment which is sad. And as usual the rich just seem to be getting richer  

bg844

Biblioklept said:

Lots of EU countries don't seem as badly impacted because of their Government policies, I was shocked to learn about EDF and France's energy bills!! But you're right, things seem bad globally at the moment which is sad. And as usual the rich just seem to be getting richer  

Most definitely, as always the richer do get richer and we are just a number on their system   
Tough times ahead for us all…