a year after Brexit, the inhabitants of Ramsgate deplore an exit from Europe “which was not done properly”

The UK left Europe a year ago. It is impossible to draw a definitive assessment of this major political choice, the consequences of which will be spread over decades. In Ramsgate, the stronghold of Brexiters, we do not regret this vote but what politicians on both sides of the Channel have done with it.

Behind her aging counter, protected from the Covid by a transparent plastic barrier, Shakey Shakey’s waitress drew her secret weapon. A few fries seasoned with the house condiment. “A recipe from my mother, she specifies. Tell me if you like. ” Pepper, herbs and sea salt perfectly enhance the fat stained cone. In High Street, Ramsgate’s main street leading down to the harbor, this fish and chips (“Britain’s greatest invention”, proclaim hundreds of brands across the country) Family-friendly is known to be the best in town.

“I can’t serve you haddock today, we don’t have any. I could find any, but with the quotas set for the fishermen, they aren’t taking much at the moment and the prices are too high. . “

The waitress at Shakey Shakey fish and chips

to franceinfo

Shakey Shakey works with the local fishery and knows its torments well. For today, it will be cod with the fries and the homemade tartar sauce. But no dessert, although the menu offers a fryer past March or Oreo cookies that have undergone the same treatment. British culinary inventions are limitless.

At the south-eastern tip of England, Ramsgate is only a two hour drive from London, a few dozen kilometers from Calais as the crow flies. The 40,000 inhabitants nevertheless feel far from their capital, France and Europe. In the area, the Brexit vote had collected 63.8% of the vote in 2016. A vote motivated by the fear of immigration, the fed up of fishermen in the face of the rules imposed by Brussels and a glorious past, often fantasized . The people of Ramsgate are old and cannot bring themselves to see the years go by. The conflict over fishing between France and the United Kingdom has rekindled a nationalism that never really disappeared. The French are not always well received these days and the “french ass-hole “ fuse fast enough for those asking questions.

John Nichols remains much more courteous. On the port he knows so well and facing the trawlers unloading their fish, the president of the region’s fishermen’s association is claiming his vote for leaving Europe. On this, his opinion has not changed even if he recognizes that Brexit is a problem. “Blame it on governments“according to him and to “an outing that was not done properly”. Not enough for everyone to know exactly what to do, anyway, he said. “I have nothing against the fact that the French, the Belgians or the Dutch access our waters but it must be done according to our conditions”, says John.

When Clément Beaune, the French Secretary of State for European Affairs, asserts that the British government only understands “the language of force”, the conservative majority is stepping in and a deputy compares Emmanuel Macron to “a little Napoleon who clings to power”. Perfect target, the French president is accused of wanting to heal his popularity in France, while the presidential campaign begins, by hitting England. Even though he’s not a big Boris Johnson fan, John Nichols gets this message perfectly: “We don’t have time to have fun but if the French want to get mad we can too.”

“England and France have been at war very often, for hundreds of years. It is not good for anyone. Our fishermen follow the rules, the French must also obey them.”

John Nichols, President of Area Fishermen

to franceinfo

The septuagenarian recounts the glorious time when around thirty boats returned to Ramsgate harbor with nets full of fish. Today, there are only a dozen and the fishing is no longer so successful. A memory shared by Tony, a retiree walking on the beach. “When I was a kid, we used to collect crabs, shells, and also fish, he remembers. Now nothing can be found because of the overfishing and the foreign boats which have combed everything. “ Brexit does not bring that era back. Neither miraculous peaches, nor soaring youth. “But we made the right decision, Tony assures us. Even if Europe wants to do everything to complicate the task for us, in particular France. Their trawlers have nothing more to do with us. You have to get used to it. “

In the 19th century, Queen Victoria loved to enjoy the sea air in Ramsgate. His frequent visits had transformed the seaside town into a “place to be”. This is no longer the case. Margate, a few miles north, attracts more tourists and locals fleeing the cities. “It would be great to go back in time”, assures Michael, the fishmonger installed on the port.

In his white hut, he sells the goods just landed under the envious gaze of the seagulls. “French fishermen can no longer come here and do what they want. I was hoping things would be clear with Brexit. This is not exactly what is happening. France should now learn to respect our laws “, he said.

In 1975, director Michel Lang chose Ramsgate to shoot his film To us the little Englishwomen. Those days are long gone in the minds of the inhabitants of this Kent port. With Brexit, the French must no longer appropriate the local wonders.