SACRAMENTO– Lilian Monceaux serves up a taste of home — fish and chips and mushy peas.
Her homeland is more than 5,000 miles away. But since 1985 she’s been selling English snacks and traditional meals at ‘Touch of Britain’ in North Highlands.
She’s surprised but not upset after Britain’s historic vote to exit the European Union.
“They’re telling them what to do, and I should imagine the people don’t want all those things and they just want to have their country back,” Monceaux said.
Being part of the European Union means people, goods and services can move freely within the EU’s 28 countries.
Losing that freedom is a shock for Ben Reyes, who lives and works in California but calls London home. Reyes worries a split from the EU will limit his opportunities when he returns.
“It will reduce the amount of travel I can do freely across Europe, and it will reduce my job opportunities as well,” said Reyes.
But Sacramento State macro-economics professor Kristin Van Gaasbeck says the Brexit will probably not cause a financial crisis.
“Europe has generally moved towards trying to be more unified, and this is kind of a big crack in that unification,” said Van Gaasbeck.
She adds, “If this kind of is the first step at dismantling Europe, the EU, that could be really bad globally its certainly going to stop economic growth.”
Back at Touch of Britain, Monceaux realizes the instability at home may save her money on imports. It’s difficult for experts to predict the long term effects of Britain leaving the EU, but there’s no denying this is a stunning and historic move.
