The Political Agency of British Migrants: Brexit and Belonging

This book explores the political agency of British migrants in Spain and France in the wake of Brexit, highlighting how they struggle for a sense of belonging. It demonstrates that even well-off migrants have political subjectivities and can enter the political fray if their fundamental values or interests are challenged. Based on ethnographic inquiry, the book examines themes such as elected councillors, migrant reactions to Brexit, anti-Brexit campaigners, and claims for residency and citizenship. It foregrounds contemporary practice theory and Engin Isin's approach to enacting citizenship to provide empirical insights into the political participation of Britons.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 122 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into a comparative analysis of the political agency of British migrants in Spain and France, shedding light on their struggles to establish a sense of belonging in the aftermath of Brexit. As the United Kingdom (UK) prepares to leave the European Union (EU), British citizens are faced with the loss of EU citizenship, which will redefine their political rights and entitlements. This book goes beyond the traditional focus on the political agency of underprivileged migrants and explores the political subjectivities of relatively well-off individuals as well. It demonstrates that even those who are not traditionally marginalized can become active participants in the political realm when their fundamental values or key interests are at stake.

The foundation of this book is an ethnographic inquiry into the political agency of Britons in the Spanish Province of Alicante and South West France during the twenty-first century. It explores a range of themes, including Britons' successful elections as local councillors in their countries of residence, the reactions of migrants to Brexit, the organization of anti-Brexit campaigners, and the pursuit of residency and citizenship rights. The book employs contemporary practice theory, drawing heavily from the work of Pierre Bourdieu, to provide empirical insights into the political participation of Britons. By highlighting the actions of elected councillors who stood against gross moral inequity and fought for a sense of local belonging, the book showcases the power of political agency in shaping the lives of migrants.

Furthermore, it explores how campaigners reacted to Brexit through digital means, employing emotive language and social media platforms to express their concerns and mobilize support. The book also sheds light on the strategies employed by some migrants, who sought to remain in their host countries without fear of deportation, by learning how to navigate national bureaucracies and contest policies that threatened their rights.

This book makes a significant contribution to the fields of anthropology and geography in the study of the impacts of Brexit on British migrants within Europe. It is the first study to examine the experiences of life in the aftermath of Brexit, providing a nuanced and empathetic understanding of the challenges faced by these individuals. The book's findings will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working in the fields of migration, citizenship, and social policy, as well as anyone with an interest in the evolving dynamics of European politics and society.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367679347