Brexit vote one year on: Six views from the front line

We cannot hold citizens hostage to political games. That is irresponsible and indecent
Sophie in t'Veld, Dutch MEP 

"The consequences are going to be far bigger than people ever could have imagined. They will hit hardest those people who are most vulnerable.

"I'm also very worried about not only the (UK's) lack of preparedness. I get the feeling that British government has yet to grasp the dimensions of this whole thing, that the sense of urgency is not there. No deal means complete and utter chaos, so we need to get a good deal for both sides because the EU will be affected by this - make no mistake about it.

"It's impossible to disentangle the UK and the rest of the EU in what's essentially a year and a half. To think that we're going to do this in a year and a half is ridiculous. Everybody should be fully aware of the magnitude of this, the importance, the complexity and the need to press on with things."

There's a long way to go
Tom Parker, vice-president, British Chamber of Commerce

"A lot to date has been about the politics side to Brexit. There has been much conversation and discussion about the business impact, but the human side has not perhaps been as adequately addressed. That is going to be one of the big challenges with this."

Everyone's situation is unique
Caroline Laske, chair of the Brussels British Community Association

"Immediately after the Brexit vote it was very difficult to answer any questions because nobody really knew where anyone was going. Town halls tend to interpret the law differently, so you get an awful lot of different stories. People came with very different stories to us, even though they're supposed to be based on the same law. There is a great diversity in how these things are applied, how strict they are. That creates even more uncertainty."

There is an increased political and social activism after Brexit
Assya Kavrakova, director of the European Citizen Action Service, which polled 1,670 people on the impact Brexit has on them

"They keep themselves much better informed. They have started being more active by either joining political parties or participating in demonstrations on the street or using social media channels."

Culturally I am European
One of respondents to the ECAS survey, which found the right to live in another member state and access to healthcare were the most cherished rights for British expats in the EU.

"I feel that everything I have done in my adult life has been as part of my identity as a European. To have this ripped from me against my wishes leaves me feeling distraught."

We should keep open the idea that the Brits will have a rethink
Richard Corbett, British MEP and Chair of the Labour Movement for Europe 

"Remind people of the words that David Davis himself said some years ago. He said if a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy. I think he should be reminded that, in the name of citizens and their rights."