Brexit: our plan to hold a wake on January 31
There has been talk of the Brexit Party organising a party in Parliament Square, recorded Big Ben 鈥渂ongs鈥�, and a countdown being projected on 10 Downing Street 鈥� but for most readers the night of January 31 will not be a celebration.
Many have told us of a sense of loss or mourning, and some have even suggested a wake.
鈥淚 might start wearing black,鈥� one said. Another said she would hang out the EU flag and Scottish Saltire in protest 鈥� 鈥渘ot in our name鈥�.
Retired teacher John Arthur, 70, from Pyr茅n茅es-Atlantiques, said he and his wife Hilary had invited their French neighbours and three mixed French-British couples. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want to be alone but don鈥檛 want a big party either 鈥� this isn鈥檛 a celebration.
鈥淲e sent out a formal faire part and invited them to a veill茅e de deuil (wake) We鈥檒l be solemnly dressed but that鈥檚 as far as the scenario goes.
鈥淲e wanted to spend a painful moment together and enjoy the solidarity of friends who understand what we鈥檙e losing. Our neighbours insisted we spend the referendum night with them, when we were in a worse emotional state.
鈥淭hen it was a shock, now it鈥檚 more like resig颅na颅tion.
鈥淎lthough we worry about our financial situation 鈥� will the pound lose value, will there be currency exchange limits? 鈥� our healthcare and loss of onward free movement rights, what we regret most is being excluded from the European project of working and learning together and understanding each other.鈥�
The In Limbo Project, which publishes testimonies from EU27 citizens in the UK and Britons abroad in the EU, proposed on social media that Britons mark the occasion by spending time with like-minded friends, sharing a 鈥渢able for Europe鈥� ().
Though they were outnumbered, a couple of readers were looking forward to the night. 鈥淚鈥檒l be opening a bottle of champagne and celebrating 鈥� free at last,鈥� one said.
