To date the result of the Brexit vote has not affected me. Even in the lead-up, in the midst of the Remain and Leave campaigns, I did not experience any negative situations. This may be due to the fact I am based in London, a city traditionally open to and founded by foreigners: the Romans.
Unlike many EU citizens living in the United Kingdom, I am also a citizen of a Commonwealth country. As such I had the right to vote in the Referendum, but I did not for logistical and ethical reasons. The former saw me outside the country. As regards to the latter, I believe it is inappropriate for a person without citizen’s obligations to cast their vote in a country where they are not obliged to live with the outcome of the vote – especially when the outcome differs from their original preference – and can leave as they wish.
All manners of arguments can be made regarding how the referendum was structured and positions presented. Not-withstanding a majority exercised its right to express how it felt about the United Kingdom’s place in the European Union through a non-binding vote.
Here is where I feel dismay with the country’s politicians’ claims there is a clearcut way to accommodate the outcome of the vote. Article 50 could have been triggered at a moment, when a solid exit strategy and plans had been developed.
I moved to London with the idea of living here for a couple of years, but I stayed longer. My position will be not to worry until I know the fate of EU citizens in the country. I will take decisions from that point on.