Journalist request - searching for family to feature in article about British expats and Brexit

Sam Wollaston wrote on Thu Sep 27, 2018 4:23pm:

Hello, I'm Sam Wollaston, a feature writer for the Guardian in London. I'm planning a feature on expat Brits in Spain in these uncertain times. I realise it's a massively complex area, with loads of different issues attached to it. Talking to my editor, we thought that a good way into it would be...

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... to focus primarily on one family - ideally an extended one - through which I could get to as many of the issues as possible. So the perfect family would be something like:

- Retired couple, who've been living on the Costa Blanca for many years, perhaps didn't vote in the referendum, whose concerns include savings, pensions, healthcare

- Plus someone from the next generation of the same family, also living there, with kids, who go to school, maybe the British School. And they're possibly thinking of become Spanish citizens, or returning to the UK.

- And then they'll be the neighbours, or friends, who don't think it will make any difference, or feel abandoned and cheesed off with The British government, or can't wait for it to happen. And what it will mean for other friends and rellies coming out to visit... etc

Are you this family? Do you know this family? I realise this exact family might not actually exist, but something approximating it, and who wouldn't mind talking to a friendly (I think) journalist from the Guardian. I'd like to come out for a couple of days probably towards the end of October. I don't have an agenda, or preconceived ideas, just want to listen to what people have to say. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and please get in touch!  

Sam

Sam Wollaston wrote on Thu Sep 27, 2018 4:23pm:

Hello, I'm Sam Wollaston, a feature writer for the Guardian in London. I'm planning a feature on expat Brits in Spain in these uncertain times. I realise it's a massively complex area, with loads of different issues attached to it. Talking to my editor, we thought that a good way into it would be...

Read more...

... to focus primarily on one family - ideally an extended one - through which I could get to as many of the issues as possible. So the perfect family would be something like:

- Retired couple, who've been living on the Costa Blanca for many years, perhaps didn't vote in the referendum, whose concerns include savings, pensions, healthcare

- Plus someone from the next generation of the same family, also living there, with kids, who go to school, maybe the British School. And they're possibly thinking of become Spanish citizens, or returning to the UK.

- And then they'll be the neighbours, or friends, who don't think it will make any difference, or feel abandoned and cheesed off with The British government, or can't wait for it to happen. And what it will mean for other friends and rellies coming out to visit... etc

Are you this family? Do you know this family? I realise this exact family might not actually exist, but something approximating it, and who wouldn't mind talking to a friendly (I think) journalist from the Guardian. I'd like to come out for a couple of days probably towards the end of October. I don't have an agenda, or preconceived ideas, just want to listen to what people have to say. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and please get in touch!  

Sam

jimtaylor wrote on Fri Sep 28, 2018 4:48pm:

Sorry, but I have to disagree. Papers don't sell because they give good solid news - bad news and speculation get a lot more attention.

If Sam takes on board my suggestion to cover our right or loss of it to stay here if there's a hard Brexit, then he could include in his article that a lot of ex-pats would lose their right to reside here, and would have to return home. That would make the type of news that sells papers. It's the...

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... sort of thing that rags like the Sun would love. I know the Guardian would present it in a more muted form, but they'd do it logically and make some good points.

Sam - I realise you're probably letting this thread run so you can get a range of inputs, but I think it's about time you gave us some reactions to our comments.

Cathiejstead wrote on Fri Sep 28, 2018 4:34pm:

Hi Sam

How can you write a story about something that hasnt been put in place yet.

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 There is no story until we all find out what's happening and as of yet. Nothing is happening. So what's to say. 

So you get your group of people to discuss what effects Brexit would have on them when noone has any idea because nothing has been decided yet. Wheres the story?

If people didn't vote in the referendom they had already decided it wasn't important to them. Unless they couldn't get back for personal reasons.

Why don't we look forward to a positive Brexit. 

That'll make a change.

Just my opinion 🤗