Nasty little genie

The NHS needs to do far more to support its European doctors if it wants to hold on to them, a new study has shown, which shows Brexit has triggered feelings of alienation. 

Brexit had a "profound impact on the majority of UK-based European doctors studied, making many feel unwelcome and unwanted, with uncertain rights to work straining relationships".

Well, what a surprise...Wouldn't you feel that? We asked them to come over here because we need them, then suddenly they've got far fewer rights and less status than they had.

They are no longer classed as actual 'citizens' here, like they had been as citizens of Europe in a country which is a member of the single market, even if they've been granted settled status. 

They're now merely 'subjects'. That's a very insecure position which can change at any time.

Newcomers who have been here less than five years can only get 'pre-settled status', which is even less secure. 

It looks as if things are only going to get worse, with the government cracking down on anyone they suddenly don't like or who even just disagrees with them. 

I feel alienated by this country now, with all these unfriendly flags to cover up for

politicians mistakes and corruption, and I've lived here all my life!

Cameron certainly let a nasty little genie out of the bottle with his Brexit referendum.

Let's just dump Brexit and go back into the EU, please!

Zoe McCormick

Westlea

 

Thirty years of peace

I AM not taking sides between Steve Cowdry (SA, April 8) and Des Morgan, but Steve cannot simply list EU “peacekeeping” achievements without mentioning NATO nor the UN. 

The idea that "the EU has for 60 years been the foundation of peace between European neighbours”  is one peddled by many in and around Brussels but it does rather ignore the nuclear-dominated Cold War (1945-91) and the important role of NATO.

The EU as such has existed for less than 30 years (Maastricht, November 1993). NATO was established in April 1949 and grew out of a mutual assistance treaty between France and UK (Dunkirk 1947).

I would agree that economic co-operation between the “six” and their many expansions created conditions whereby peace in Europe was much more likely than war.

However,  the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall were down to Gorbachev and the will of the peoples of East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia (as they then were) in particular. So I would allow Steve Cowdry 30 years, but not 60.

Andrew Martin

Lower Stratton

 

Vaccine offers proof

IN reply to Mr Cowdry (April 8) regarding Britain's membership of the EU, every advantage that he mentions carries with it a corresponding disadvantage. 

The free movement of people across national borders leads to high levels of immigration.

This has created a shortage of four million houses. 

The free movement of goods across national borders has led to a huge rise in imports. Britain has been running the largest trade deficit in the world as a percentage of GDP. 

Britain is now leading the world on vaccinations because we are outside the EU. This will save countless lives and be a be huge boost to be the British economy. 

Steve Halden

Beaufort Green

Swindon