HMA Hugh Elliott´s latest update on progress with the driving licence negotiations. | Brits in Spain
20/06/2022 09:29
The British ambassador, Hugh Elliott, says that progress is being made on the issue of British driving licences in Spain.
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Well, that's the point. Spanish might want to think were foreigners, but you can't argue who's the foreigners here. Do they have British citizenship? Obviously not. We held a referendum to stop such foreigners from running the country. They can't dictate to us anymore. We're liberated now 😉 So now, these foreigners tell us we can't be permanent residents in Spain and drive on a British driving licence, as if we're the foreigners. Not only is that blatantly hypocritical, but insulting. Must be racism, not? Or so the logic goes... So unfair. Needs to be fixed right away, not? Meanwhile... No doubt the Spanish counterpart in the "negotiations" is getting their full quota of rolleyes 🙄
Morgan WilliamsMaybe I miss your point but when in Spain any other nationality other than Spanish are foreigners. Just as the Spanish or any other nationality are foreigners in UK. I can't quite understand your talk about racism.
Foreigners treating Brits like foreigners? It's them that are foreigners, no? Like the time I was at the ajuntamento in Palma, some British girl was wanting something (unclear) .. The person at the desk told her she needed to go to the oficina de extranjeros, "foreigners office" Next door... "What? Why do I need to go to the Foreigners office?" "You are... Spanish???" No! I'm English! That's what I've been trying to tell you! " Then mumbling something about how racist the Spanish are.. Treating her like a foreigner just because she's English... Maybe this driver licence thing is like that. Unimaginable that they'd treat Brits like foreigners. Racism, perhaps?
Morgan WilliamsCan you possibly explain why you see this as racist? Are you not aware that UK is no longer part of EU and is treated as ANY other country outside of EU? Your reply reminds me of a story a long time a go (pre Brexit) when a wife told her friend she was married to a foreigner, and the husband objected and said, I'm not a foreigner, I'm British!
Why is it so difficult for UK citizens following rules in other countries? The ambassador's response is as clear as mud, pointing out it's not UK's decision only! Who would think or does Spain has president in UK with over their laws? People who couldn't be bother making a move, have put themselves in this position.
It's pretty hypocritical that a whole country of foreigners would treat Britons as foreigners, as if they can't tell the difference. Systematic racism?
Appreciate this nice clear explanation form Hugh Elliot. Resolving this can only be positive everyone.