London-based Europeans share their thoughts about Brexit
Grateful for the opportunities Britain has offered them, many London-based Europeans worry about their future in a post-Brexit world.
Vera Pereira - Portugual - symphony double bass player. "Orchestras may not be able to tour as much…. the world of music in Britain won't be as well-known as it is now."Peter Nicholls/Reuters
Raluca Cioroian - Romania - farm shop manager. "I came here with good intentions, to work, to pay taxes, to improve my knowledge, my culture, and to make a better life. I’m not ashamed to say that I'm from Romania."Peter Nicholls/Reuters
Paolo Esposito - Italy - financial services worker. "I wasn't expecting it to be so easy to settle. From simple things like bureaucracy, which is a lot more straightforward than in Italy, to people's attitudes towards foreigners. Looking back on it, it was less hassle than changing your gym."Toby Melville/Reuters
Catarina Cardoso - Portugal - climate change scientist. "Until now we were the same as everyone else, maybe a different accent, but it didn't seem to be an issue. Now you don't know whether you're welcome really."Peter Nicholls/Reuters
Simeon Simeonov - Bulgaria - car washer. He fears a Brexit vote will deprive his two children of an education at a local British state school.Peter Nicholls/Reuters
Jessie Grimes - Ireland - clarinettist. She fears new border controls between Ireland and northern Ireland. "I can't see that going peacefully," she said, recalling the political violence that blighted Northern Ireland when she was a child.Peter Nicholls/Reuters
Monika Cyrek - Poland - owns a family-run grocery store. "If we're not wanted here, probably a lot of people will leave and try other places."Peter Nicholls/Reuters
Svenja Schumacher - Germany - London financial services worker. "I don't think it's fair that I don't have a vote. I pay taxes in Britain."Toby Melville/Reuters
Mihai Marcar - Romania - waiter. "I think there are a lot of people who are here illegally. For me that's the real problem, not the people who are working here, paying taxes, having a normal life."Peter Nicholls/Reuters