Blog Archive

Thursday 22 June 2017

Positive Protest Reaps Rewards




‘Grassroots’ organisations can make a difference. Brexpats – Hear Our Voice (BHOV) won a European Union award relating to their campaigning involving cross-border cooperation and ‘’concrete expression to the values enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the European Union’’.

From tiny acorns mighty oaks grow.


Brexpats – Hear Our Voice (BHOV) is not ‘just an anti-Brexit’ group. Rather it seeks that the EU, and the UK Government, maintain the rights of the millions of British citizens currently living in other EU countries and also the rights of the millions of EU citizens currently living in the UK. They have done much and achieved much.

July 2016

The group as a collective wrote and distributed a letter to all politicians in the UK and the EU Parliaments and some media outlets, raising the concerns of EU Nationals living in the UK and UK Citizens living in the EU post the Referendum Result.


August 2016

The original letter was redistributed (shortened and slightly adapted) to all recipients as stated above but also the new DexEU, Cabinet Ministers and some EU Commissioners’.

Some great responses from UK and EU MEPs, significantly Jean Lambert MEP.

Replies from some Cabinet Ministers and one from an EU Commissioner

September 2016

Written evidence was submitted to the British Future inquiry and their report.

                An invite to speak in person with Jean Lambert MEP at the EP was received and conducted. A very productive meeting ensued, which resulted in a continuing relationship.

October 2016

An invite received (and accepted) from Jean Lambert MEP to speak at a Forum on Freedom of Movement in London on 11th November 2016.
Freedom of movement from Jean Lambert MEP on Vimeo.

November 2016

Brexpats attended and presented at the Green Party Forum the Freedom of Movement Research.

December 2016

BHOV  assigned a ‘petitions coordinator ‘ who led the promotion of such.

Some of the petitions broke the 10,000-signature mark .

January 2017

BHOV signed “the Pledge” for the 3 million.
This was handed to the Prime Minister’s Office and coverage by many media outlets was gained.


‘Concerted Plea’  video completed and distributed to all politicians.




The House of Commons Select Committee for exiting the EU inquiry was held in London.

 BHOV were part of the oral evidence session.

February 2017

The group was a co signatory, involved in providing feedback and distribution of the "Alternative White Paper"

March 2017

March 25 2017 in London
Brexpats – Hear our Voice  (BHOV) was mentioned in the 2nd report published by the Exiting the EU Committee.


The group collaborated with RIFT on their written evidence (BMP0011) to the House LORDS - European Union Committee - 14th Report of Session 2016–17


April 2017

Joint evidence with Remain in France Together  (RIFT) was submitted to the House of Commons Procedure Committee inquiry into “Delegated powers and the Great Repeal Bill”.

As part of The Coalition of UK groups “British in Europe”, BHOV met with the Department for Exiting the EU twice.

They met and spoke at a forum in London with the EU President Tajani.

Brexpats – Hear our Voice  (BHOV) campaigning and influence will continue. They work in coordination with ‘sister’ organisations RIFT and Bremain in Spain. BHOV has made a difference; we can all make a difference, so never give up on supporting your EU ideals.



To find out about Brexpats – Hear our Voice , and how you can help, visit their website brexpatshov.com

UPDATE: the BHOV founder has started a Facebook group British in the Netherlands for UK citizens, whom are concerned about their future rights, where they can share worries, share information and form a lobbying unit.

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