Brexit: Remainer declares his Gloucestershire home independent republic to protest Leave vote
'I feel very strongly that the wishes of the 48 per cent of us who voted remain are being totally ignored so this is the only way I have left to protest'
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Your support makes all the difference.A former university lecturer has declared his home an independent republic to protest the Brexit vote.
Visitors to retired academic William Riches’ Gloucestershire home will require a visa costing at least £50 once Britain leaves the EU.
The 77-year-old has made his wife Judith president and gave his children and grandchildren citizenship so they will not need a passport to cross the threshold to his three-storey home in the village of Newnham on Severn, according to GloucestershireLive.
A notice in the window of the house, named Middlewatch, reads: "The Independent Republic of Middlewatch.
"This Republic is a proud member of the European Union.
"All non-EU residents wishing to visit the Republic must have a valid EU passports."
Dr Riches said he is a passionate supporter of the EU and wanted to declare his home a republic to express the wishes of the 48 per cent.
"I am a staunch Remainer and cannot see a future for this country now," he said.
"All our literature, all our art, all our culture, all our history is intertwined with Europe so the idea that we are not part of Europe, that we are some small but significant little island, just annoyed me so much I had to do something.
"I was so mad after the vote to leave that I decided to put the signs up and declare my home an independent republic.
"I feel very strongly that the wishes of the 48 per cent of us who voted Remain are being totally ignored so this is the only way I have left to protest. If I could declare us a republic and join Europe I probably would. Maybe I’ll look into it.”
Dr Riches’ son was born in Ireland but now lives in Germany and has successfully applied for Irish and German citizenship following the vote.
Under Theresa May's proposals, EU nationals will have the same "indefinite leave to remain" in the UK as many non-European nationals who have lived in the UK for five years.
Yet critics have said the plans are too vague, with the EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier tweeting that "more ambition, clarity and guarantees" were needed.
EU residents will lose the right to bring a spouse to live in Britain unless they are earning £18,600 under the Government's plans.
Several other areas are uncertain, with healthcare and the rights of self-employed EU citizens still up for negotiation.
"I don’t think the notice will change any minds because our friends and neighbours voted Remain anyway, but it’s our way of making a protest and people who come here often apologise for not bringing their passports," Dr Riches said.
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