 and our own food (Picture: Monique Speksnyder) One thousand three hundred and thirty pounds. That's how much it costs to become a British citizen – I couldn't believe it when I saw this eye-watering amount for the first time a few years ago. Why should I – as a Dutch national living in Cumbria – pay £1,330 to get the same rights as people born in the UK? So I just didn't – and still haven't. In fact, I won't. I grew up in the Netherlands, but I first visited England when I was 15 while on a two week-long language and sailing course in Torquay. Why should I pay £1,330 to get the same rights as people born in the UK? (Picture: Monique Speksnyder) It was a wonderful experience, apart from the funny-tasting sandwiches with some meaty sandwich paste that my host gave me every day. I fell in love with this land of scones, fish and chips and affordable Indian food. Ever since this trip, I have had amazing holidays in the UK, travelling right across the country – mainly by train. I discovered the enticing landscapes of Yorkshire, Cumbria and Northumberland. I particularly like the rolling hills and mature trees in fields, which is lacking in the Dutch countryside. On top of that, the people I have met are so nice too: welcoming and helpful. Being white and speaking English fluently (but with an accent) has meant I haven't encountered any overt discrimination. People just mishear my name and call me Monica all the time. What made me decide to leave the Netherlands around the age of 40 was that everybody was always rushing. There didn't seem to be much time to enjoy life. It was also the rise of right-wing parties in the Netherlands under the leadership of Pim Fortuyn – who was later assassinated – which made me extremely uncomfortable. I didn't recognise the country anymore. I was thrilled to be offered a job with Natural England as a land management adviser (Picture: Monique Speksnyder) We use){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
One thousand three hundred and thirty pounds.
That’s how much it costs to become a British citizen – I couldn’t believe it when I saw this eye-watering amount for the first time a few years ago.
Why should I – as a Dutch national living in Cumbria – pay £1,330 to get the same rights as people born in the UK?
So I just didn’t – and still haven’t. In fact, I won’t.