Never mind the European Union, the UK is so over. Scotland’s drifting off one way, Northern Ireland another and middle England is busy setting the clocks back to 1973.
If this is what you’re thinking as you absentmindedly down the last of your cheap, import-free red wine, then maybe it’s time to move abroad.
There are wonderful Himalayan mountain kingdoms like Bhutan, but unfortunately foreigners have to pay $250 a day. And there are great post-colonial states like India and South Africa, but there are also some post-colonial problems as well. So bearing things like needing a job in mind, it might be better to consider these options instead:
1. Canada
If you’re sick of Little England, why not move to Canada? It’s the world’s second-biggest country with half the UK’s population, and immigrants are welcomed as ‘new Canadians’. Oh, and a hot, feminist Prime Minister.
Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet has equal numbers of men and women, and includes a former Afghan refugee. He’s also personally greeted Syrian refugees to the country.
2. New Zealand
With its practice of diverting asylum seekers to poor, inhospitable islands, Australia may be a Brexiteer’s dream. But not far away is kindly New Zealand, with a moderate multi-party government and lots of Greens. It was also the first country to have an openly transexual mayor.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in New Zealand since 2013, and sexual discrimination is illegal. But more importantly, you can live out your own Lord of the Rings movie again and again. As they say, one referendum to rule them all and in the darkness bind them…
3. Scandinavia
The Scandinavian countries regularly top the world’s quality of life indices. They’re also known for progressive policies, like equal parental leave for mothers and fathers.
Norway ranks no. 2 of all the OECD countries for jobs and life satisfaction, Finland’s no.1 for education, Sweden stands out for health care and Denmark’s no. 1 for work-life balance. And the crime dramas are great.
Until 24 June, as an EU citizen, you could have moved there at the drop of a hat. Now you’ll need to keep an eye on the negotiations.
4. Scotland
Scottish voters bucked the trend and voted overwhelmingly to stay in the European Union. Not only is the First Minister of the Scottish Parliament a woman, but 35% of MSPs are women, compared to 29% of MPs.
If you’re attached to this rainy isle but you don’t want to give up the European dream, catch a train north. Just be prepared to stomach yet another referendum before you claw back that EU passport.
5. Germany
The real giant of Europe, Germany is home to avant-garde artists, refugee activists and also has a lot of jobs (time to get that GCSE German textbook out again). And its leader is the most powerful woman in the world, Angela Merkel.
Greeks may hate her, but Merkel has undoubtedly been a crusader for moderate politics in the face of populist right movements.
6. Ireland
It’s English speaking, has a history of revolutionary politics and there’s always a Ryanair flight. Progressives though may want to think twice before boarding though. Despite legalising same-sex marriage, Catholic Ireland has some of the strictest abortion laws of the western world.
A happier solution may be to find out if you have any Irish grandparents (you might be surprised) and apply for an Irish passport. At least then you have an escape route.
7. Vermont, USA
Let’s be clear, anywhere that is considering a President Trump is not a progressive country. But under the Obama administration, it has made great strides in healthcare, gay marriage and more. If you felt the Bern, why not head off to Bernie Sanders’ home state of Vermont?
And thanks to the US political system, you can still legally smoke cannabis (for medicinal reasons, of course) in states like Colorado.
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