Thread by @Helenreflects

We're two days from the cliff edge that turns out not to be a cliff edge (29 March 2019). Brexit hasn't happened yet. It may be even more delayed. It may yet never happen. Even so, EU citizens in the UK have lost many things. Let's see which. 1/

For me, Brexit fundamentally meant a loss of trust, at all levels. I started looking at neighbors and co-workers, wondering how they voted, and if they voted Leave if it was to get rid of immigrants. 2/

Prior to the EU Referendum, most EU citizens in the UK felt relatively trustful towards the government and towards local community. This trust is now gone, with downstream consequences for civic participation and integration of EU citizens in the UK. 3/
blog.politicsmeanspolitics.com/betrayed-trust…

But now, that trust has been broken. Betrayed. Not only because of the bargaining chip narrative, also because apparently the UK is willing to do itself huge economic damage so they can get rid of us. 4/

I'm not the only one who feels disengaged from public life since the EU referendum. People I know who were active as volunteers, e.g., treasurers of the local village hall, or being part of the PTA - all work that requires devotion, attention, connectedness, have disengaged 5/

So Brexit has meant a loss of community. I am a member of the Church of England and used to sing in a choir, or read for the services. Now I seldom attend and am not a choir member. I feel frustrate with the church's response to Brexit. 6/

Is the Church of England only for English people? It seems to be the case. And as @JustinWelby and others call for unity and for healing divisions, it's like they don't acknowledge our pain and our sense of alienation. 7/ medium.com/@helenldecruz/…

Next to trust and community, I lost my sense of home. I thank my lucky stars that I did not buy a house here in the UK as I was planning to do in 2016, and that I did not live here for decades investing in this country, both emotionally and materially. 8/

I used to think this was home. Now it's just something I work and live for the moment. My house is just a rental that will revert to its owner when I'm gone. My job is just a job, and could be done by someone else (someone British) 9/

I lost my love for this country. Before I came to the UK I already loved the country, even the food and the weather. That's gone now. 10/
medium.com/me/stats/post/…

And I'm not alone in that - in choosing my freedom of movement rights to come to a country I loved. Many people I know did this, and now feel betrayed. 11/

There are of course also material things such as the devaluation of the £ and, for anyone wanting to future-proof their stay here, £2000 or so to naturalise. /ends