05/09/2016 Inside Out South East

It's a Brexit special on Inside Out.

I voted Leave because I wanted a change, I wanted things

to go back to years ago, before we joined the EU.

What a Bulgarian who migratdd to Kent thinks about the result

If this was happening in my country and I had the opportunity

to vote, I would probably vote to leave as well.

Do you understand why so many British

people voted to leave?

Actually, no.

And the flotilla fishermen of Thanet who have got

the result they wanted.

Fantastic day out.

We are looking forward to a new future.

But it isn't a question of putting a line around the map and going

"Yes, that's our sovereigntx," that isn't the way it works.

I'm Natalie Graham with untold stories closer to home.

From all around the south-e`st, this is Inside Out.

Welcome to the programme.

I'm on the white cliffs of Dover and over there, on a clear day,

you can see the Europe that we have just voted to leave.

In fact, the south-east overwhelmingly voted out

and the result sent shock waves through Westminster.

It laid bare what many people see as a major divide between those

in power and those they represent.

Helen Catt reports.

Even at its most remote points, nowhere in the south-east

is more than about 100 miles from Westminster.

But, for some it seems, it can feel more like 1,000.

Those big politicians underdstimated the common man in the street.

There is a strong anti-mainstream, some would even say anti-political

kind of tenor.

I talk about a kind of workhng class insurrection.

They just really wanted to leave and they wanted

to leave because there was a lack of democracy.

Turnout at the referendum w`s huge and the message was very cldar

we want out of the EU.

But were voters also saying something else?

We're going to speak to somd of those who voted out

in the south-east to find ott if there are any other mess`ges

the politicians should be taking away.

They promise all these things.

People vote for them and thdn later, a year down the line,

all the promises get broken.

I don't think they're reallx interested in the likes of,

not just me, but the man in the street, they've got no clue.

First stop, Dover...

to meet 28-year-old Steve Howe who works as a chef

on a cross-Channel ferry.

He's one of a significant group who voted in the referendum,

those who never usually votd at all.

Before I actually vote, I want to make sure that I know

what I'm doing because this is not just an everyday thing and then four

years down the line you get another vote,

this is going to be a life-changer.

Despite not trusting politicians and their promises,

he discussed the EU extensively with his family and workmatds

to make what believes is the right decision.

I voted Leave because I wanted a change, I wanted us to go back

to what use to be years ago before we even joined the EU.

There was none of this problem with immigrants,

there wasn't problems with benefits, people not being able to afford

to do this, do that.

We're a country that makes lillions of pounds but yet we still have

people living on the streets.

At Sussex University, political specialist Paul Wdlls says

it's easy to understand why the referendum caught

the imagination of people who don't usually vote.

If you're talking about somdthing like a referendum on membership

of the European Union then, ostensibly at least,

there's only going to be ond vote, at least for the foreseeabld future,

and it's really critical to the whole future of the country

and the nature of the country's future so you can understand why

people would think this is a bit more interesting.

So it may have been, in part, the non-voters

who helped win it for Leave, but there was another group

who could give the politici`ns something to ponder too.

In the south-east, a nmumber of heavily-conservative are`s voted

Leave, and that's no real strprise.

What's more surprising is that it's thought a significant number

of Labour voters also voted Out despite their party being fhrmly In.

Among them was prominent Labour peer Lord Glasman.

40% of Labour voters voted Brexit.

But of that proportion that voted Leave, overwhelmingly

they were the Labour base, working class in the north-dast

north-west, the Midlands, and also the south-east.

To find out why that might be, we went to meet Kay Green.

Now retired, she's a life-long Labour voter, who also

chose to Leave.

Hello.

Nice to meet you.

Can I come in?

Please do.

I always thought Labour were for the working class,

the working man, you know, and I proudly consider myself to be

a working class person becatse I've worked all my life.

But you think they were wrong on Europe.

Yes, I think they were.

I don't think they were thinking of the working people.

I mean, look at all our industry that we've lost.

Since we've been in Europe, all our steel and coal's gone

and that's all the working people.

Kay doesn't think any better of the Conservatives though.

We all know that David Cameron's a millionaire in his own right,

as is his wife, so they've got no clue really how the likes of us

the man on the ground floor sort of thing, how we

operate, how we live.

Kay's feeling that politici`ns who wanted to stay in the ET weren't

on the side of working people comes as no surprise to political experts.

The whole deal with the EU was slanted massively in favour

of the rich from the get-go and people just woke up to ht.

There was this long-term perception that the European Union

was in a sense not very democratic and was an elite-driven project

which left ordinary people behind.

It's just like everything's got out of control.

Our health service, I mean, that's why the health service

was set up for people like ts who couldn't afford to have medical

treatment back in the day.

Our housing alone is scandalous costs.

I don't know if that was because we were in Europe

but hopefully the government will be able to sort those things now we're

coming out because we'll be able to make our own laws and look

after own rather than have to look out after the rest of the world

first and then our own as an afterthought.

It's just don't seem fair.

Now we're open to more people, we can sell and buy to other

countries which could lead to better things and maybe make more jobs

for people over here, bring more different businesses

over, especially for Dover `s well.

Make it a bit better cos thhs is the gateway to

England, as they say.

As the sound and fury of the campaign fade

into distant memory, the question for the politicians

will be how best to respond.

That's an extraordinarily difficult question.

I'm not sure I've really got the answer.

Partly because I think that actually we do live in this world now

in which populist rhetoric and politics is much more whdespread

than it used to be and therd is just a very strong anti-mainstre`m,

some would even say anti-political tenor and we don't just see it

in Britain, we see it right around Europe,

we see it with Donald Trump in the USA and so on and so forth

as well, so I don't think there s any very easy response.

And voters aren't likely to allow politicians,

particularly the new Prime Linister, much time to come up with one.

This afternoon I will travel to Berlin to meet Chancellor Merkel

to discuss how to implement the decision the British people took

in the referendum and I expdct we will also cover a number of other

pressing international issuds, and tomorrow I will visit P`ris

for similar discussions with President Hollande.

Now she's new the Prime Minhster, they want to know, OK, well,

you're new, we're leaving the EU, what are you going to bring

to the table for us?

And that's the message that the south-east seems to have

sent ? we've voted to bring powers back to Westminster,

now Westminster needs to make them work for us.

If any political party can convince disaffected Leave voters

that they are the party for them, they could be on to a winner.

Helen Catt reporting.

Coming up on Inside Out:

What's next for our fishermdn with Brexit on the horizon?

I voted to leave out of despair for the industry.

It has been absolutely annihilated over the last 30 years.

EU migrants who live in the south-east were watching

the referendum particularly closely.

It could have serious consequences for their future.

But one Bulgarian has a surprising take on the result,

as Rachel Royce reports.

It's Amercian Classic Car D`y at Brooklands Motor Museum hn Surrey

and Borislava Pepelyashka and her husband Manol Ivanov are

making the most of it.

I want to buy it.

You need very deep pockets.

I wont tell you what I'm asking for it but it's got

an insured value of ?28,000.

OK, that's great.

Not that expensive for a car.

We first met the Bulgarian couple when they arrived in the UK

early last year.

They were recruited by an employment agency in Kent

Just a few months later, the couple went home.

But after the summer in Bulgaria they decided to give

the UK another go.

Life is much better second time round but since they came b`ck

there has been one big change.

The UK has voted to leave the EU.

As a result, however much they are enjoying themselves now,

they may eventually be told to leave.

So how do they feel about Brexit?

Surprisingly, Borislava the Bulgarian is a Brexiteer.

We fully understand why thex do so and we support them.

If this was happening in my coutry and I had the opportunity

to vote, I would probably vote to leave as well.

That's really suprising that as a migrant you would say that

Why do you say that?

I do admire how tolerant Brhtish people are and I appreciate it

but don't you think so many different people and culturds might

change your traditions?

Well, at 20 minutes to five we can now say...

They didn't watch TV on refdrendum night so I played them the clip

of the decision being announced by the BBC.

What do you think of that?

We're out - easy as that.

Borislava and Manol came to the UK to earn money to pay for thhngs

they want back home.

They're building their own house and they have old cars

they want to restore.

But Borislava is finding th`t since Brexit she has less money

to send home once her wages are converted into her own currency.

She's also beginning to nothce price increases on her favourite

Bulgarian foods.

Did you find everything you are looking for?

Actually, the price has risdn.

Sorry, yeah, it went up a lhttle bit because of the weaker pound,

because we brought all food from Bulgaria.

So I think it is due to Brexit.

Funnily enough.

These days Brexit-supporting Borislava works as an officd manager

just a mile from her home.

She starts work early giving her plenty of free thme

in the afternoon.

Today she is having a manictre at Lily Nails in Dartford.

How long have you been here?

Almost three years.

How about yourself?

For me two years.

Her beautician today is an hmmigrant called Anna Ahlberg.

She's Swedish, but of Vietnamese descent.

Because of the Brexit vote, how do

you feel about that?

Yes.

I still got my family back hn Sweden so it would be easier if it didn't

happen because I still need to go back and visit my mother and so

on so it's quite easy to tr`vel

Do you understand why so many British people voted to leave?

Actually no.

Borislava and Manol are not worried by Brexit but some

of their friends are.

Blago is a former housemate who works in IT.

He wants to stay here for a long time and hopes the government

doesn't go through with Brexit.

I was suprised.

Why?

By the last minute I was thhnking they would vote the oppositd I never

would thought England would vote this way.

Do you think it was a mistake?

I do believe it was a mistake and I don't think I'm the only one

thinking this beacause I was reading a lot and many people on thd news

said the same thing that if they had the chance to vote again

they would vote the oppostite.

The way I see it the referendum is just the government asking

what people think but doesn't mean the government should follow

what people have decided.

Do you feel less welcome after the Brexit vote?

Surprisingly no.

I don't feel any difference after the vote or not.

People are still very happy.

They are still the same.

Yes, exactly.

To be honest, I feel the sale way.

Even now, after the Brexit, I still feel welcome

by the British people and I appreciate it.

For me personally, it hasn't affected me in anyway.

As a business owner, I think people are slightly worried

what will happen to them in future so that means they are buying less.

Your business wouldn't exist without Bulgarian

migrants, would it?

They are our main customer.

You hope your customers will stay.

Yes.

Back in the nail salon Anna is still discussing her Brexit

worries with Borislava.

As I can see it now, I think it will be more

negative than positive.

But it might be easy to trade with the goods.

Yeah, I thought so.

Import, export.

Even being outside the EU, it doesn't mean that the cotntry

cannot negotiate with other countries.

Anna wonders about the posshbility of a second vote.

There are some people that would like to have a second referdndum.

What do you think?

It would be a huge mistake because the politicians alrdady gave

to the people an opportunitx to vote so they have their decision

and they have to respect it.

Should we ask the people as many times as we want until we gdt

the right answer we want?

Why did they ask them in the first place then?

I hope, as our new Prime Minister, Theresa May, promised,

we get the best out of it.

The best for Britain.

I'm hoping Britain will strhke a deal which will be

beneficial for both sides.

Try it.

The pipe is hot so watch out.

Of course.

Although there are plenty of things that Borislava and Manol love

about living in Britian, they miss their family

and friends back home.

That is one reason they're not bothered by Brexit.

It's hard to be away from place you belong to it

and we really miss it.

If I had the opportunity to work same job as I do here

for the same amount of monex, I would never leave!

And as a Bulgarian who supports Brexit, Borislava has made

a new friend at the car show.

If I had the opportunity to vote, I would probably

vote to leave as well.

I think that is an excellent thought.

Thank you.

The glitz and fun of the American Classic Car Show

is a long way from some of the difficult days the couple

experienced when they first came to the UK.

But Borislava and Manol takd opportunties where they find them.

If in the future they are no longer allowed to stay

in the UK, they may go home, but the adventurous duo may also

look for new opportunities elsewhere in Europe.

Rachel Royce reporting.

Now, one of the most vocal groups campaigning

for Brexit were the fishermdn of the south-east.

So what does the future now hold for them?

It's an image from the in/ott battle that few can forget.

The sight of fishermen charging up the Thames in protest,

desperate to leave the EU.

And our local fishermen were right in the thick of ht.

Tell me about that day on the Thames, the flotilla.

Oh, fantastic day out.

John took part in the demonstration.

He's the chairman of Thanet Fishermen's Associathon.

The atmosphere was out of this world.

On the day the fishermen were confronted by a boat

of Remainers including Bob Geldof but the fishermen think

this helped their cause.

You're a fraud, Nigel!

Go back to the river, cos you're up one

without a canoe.

Or a paddle.

It's all right for millionahres

I think if anyone deserves ` vote of thanks, it's Bob Geldof cos

he actually raised our profile to the extent

it made world news.

So thanks, Bob!

And you got the result you wanted on June the 23rd.

Absolutely.

We are looking forward to a new future.

So what does the future involve

Well, our fishermen want an end to the complicated rules and quotas

which mean they end up catching fish and throwing them back dead,

or bringing dead fish to shore that they can't sell.

I voted to leave out of despair for the industry.

It has been absolutely annihilated over the last 30 years.

We are throwing back fish we could be selling,

so we are having to stay at sea longer to catch more of whatever

fish we are allowed to catch to pay the bills.

It's a similar story further down the coast.

Morning.

What have you caught today?

Mullet.

Make up for yesterday.

Mike Bailey has been fishing out of Poole Harbour for over 30 years.

Recently his business has been struggling.

The amount of fish Mike is `llowed to catch is limited by strict EU

quotas, put in place to stop overfishing.

Every month, you get a new set of quotas for the month,

and you work out what it's worth and you think, "Well,

that's two days' fishing and that's meant to last a month."

It's overzealous, it's gone too far and they're making rules

just for the sake of it.

Obviously now the referendul's actually happened now we will get

out of Europe eventually.

Not over-hopeful, but hoping a lot of the rules and regulations

will dissapear and we can m`ke it at a more local level.

Today, Mike and his brother Dave are fishing for bass.

No boats coming, Mike?

Clear of boats.

They're under pressure for a big catch.

Not in terms of numbers, but each fish has to be large enough

to meet EU standards.

This year, the minimum size for bass has been increased to just

over 42 centimetres, just over 16 inches.

Most of the bass Mike catchds no longer measure up,

and have to be thrown back.

When we first started fishing for bass, the size limit

was only ten inches.

Now we'll be chucking ?150, ?200 worth back, last year's size.

Not a fortune but would havd been nice this morning.

We've got ?4 instead.

Oh, well, let's do it.

Let's get it done.

Throw him back quickly so hd's got a chance of living.

Throwing money away.

Throwing money away means the crew don't get a wage.

This is the first size increase since 1990.

The fish that Mike is throwhng back have been sold to restaurants

for the past 25 years.

It's annoying.

This is what we target, what we've always fished.

Throw it away.

We are born and bred to catch fish and we've got to throw it b`ck.

Of the 30 fish that Mike and his brother catch,

28 end up back in the water.

Six or seven quid, that.

Six or seven quid.

I'd rather the five or six puid in my pocket than that.

As well as having to dump fhsh that are not big enough,

fishermen also have to throw away fish if they're not the species

that they are allowed to catch.

Fisherman complained about discarding the fish

and the EU listened.

They are phasing in a new sxstem.

In many cases, instead of discarding the fish,

they will have to bring the majority back to shore.

But that has been changed now by the EU.

They have banned discard, haven't they?

Yes, they have been good thdy have banned discards and now I h`ve

to bring it back to shore and dump it.

Don't tell me the EU is any good for the UK fishing

industry cos it isn't, it has been a total disaster.

But it's a bit more complicated than that.

Fish quotas and minimum sizds aren't just set by the EU.

Our south-east fishermen are regulated by our own government

and the United Nations as well as the European Union.

With an exit from the EU on the horizon, fishermen

want change, but will that even be possible?

Tom Appleby is one of the UK's most prominent marine lawyers.

A lot of European law implelents international law, so we can't just

walk away and think they no longer apply because we are still bound

by those international arrangements, so it isn't a question of shmply

taking a line around the map and saying, "Yes,

that's our sovereignty," that's not going to work.

Whether we are in or out of the EU, it is the UK Government's job

to decide how much of the n`tional quota the fishermen that we've met

are allowed to catch.

Inshore fishermen like thesd make up around 80% of the nation's

fleet but receive a tiny share of the quota.

Tom Appleby says some indivhdual large fishing companies havd more

quota than all the inshore fishermen put together.

The inshore fleet has something like 2-4% of the quota for the UK

national quota and yet there are individuals running around

with larger proportions than that.

That is the biggest problem facing the UK at the moment and th`t's got

nothing to do with Brussels.

We asked the government what they planned to do

to help our coastal fiosherlen now we are leaving the EU.

They wouldn't meet us face to face, but did say this...

Back in the English Channel, Mike and his brother

are trying to make a living.

I don't understand how you have to land everything, no

matter what size it is, whereas we can throw it back

like we've just done.

We've thrown it back and at least we've got a ch`nce

of catching it one day.

It's got a chance to reprodtce and all the rest of it.

What are they going to do whth it?

Not they, we.

Yeah, but the authorities, once we've taken it ashore?

Destroy it?

They've got to pay for it to go to a landfill I suppose.

It doesn't make sense in th`t what we have been doing for years

and taking care by putting the small fish back, we've done it

with pride and now...

It don't make sense.

Do not make us take all our undersized fish and kill

it all and destroy it.

That makes me mad.

I get quite emotional about that if that does happen.

It doesn't make sense.

The rules are stupid.

Our fishermen want to see change.

They say the quota system is unworkable.

I think the government have finally realised they have got to start

listening to people.

They didn't think we would vote to leave Europe and

the public have spoken.

So they appear to be honouring their word

and we are on our way out.

I am hoping that they will do the same and listen

to the fishing industry.

So it's uncertain seas for our south-east fishermen.

They voted to leave the EU hoping to protect their livelihoods but,

with the Brexit button waiting to be pressed,

their fate is in the hands of future negotiations.

Until then, they have happy memories of the day they stormed

the Thames and got the Brexht result they wanted.

If you'd like to know more about the programme,

don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and you can watch

the show again on iPlayer.

Coming up next week...

When DNA was used in court for the first time.

The Kent lawyer who won an immigration case.

Then it was on TV and so on and then it was amazing stuff.

Absolutely amazing.

And the battle between the need to build houses and the need

to protect the Kent and Sussex countryside.

I have been told the governlent will impose a local plan on us.

Someone has to do the deed of deciding where these houses

are going to go.

Once you have concreted over a field or a wood,

that is it gone forever and it is not coming back

when they decide they have lade the wrong decision.

What does the future hold for Southern Railway?

Is safety being compromised?

Yes, it is.

There have been stories abott people fainting and not even

hitting the floor.

That is it from us tonight from Dover.

Thank you for watching.

See you next week.

Hello, I'm Riz Lateef, with your 90-second update.