By 2019, the disastrous consequences of the 'confected' vote of 2016 for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union were becoming clear. The United Kingdom had become politically and economically unstable; intolerant, xenophobic and illiberal; with inequality growing at a rate not seen since the nineteenth century. All this occurred before The United Kingdom actually left the European Union and the European family of nations. By 2025, despite the election of a Labour government, The United Kingdom continues to move towards isolationism, greater inequality, increasing poverty with failing health and education services and an ever increasing gap between rich and poor.
Rowan abhors the proposal to remove The United Kingdom from The European Convention on Human Rights, and the 2021 legislation which restricted freedom of expression and many other basic human rights. The 2019 election result was, Rowan believes, a tragic outcome for Britain, and the 'circumstances' which brought the conservatives back to power both gravely disturbing and reminiscent of Europe in the 1930's. Rowan believes that the Labour government elected in 2024, far from addressing social ills, has continued on the path of the previous Conservative government and seeks, in many ways, to go further along the path of totalitarianism, seeking to emulate many of the policies of the new Reform party.
Rowan has always considered himself a European 'liberal,' and for that reason took a second home in Zagreb, Croatia. Here he writes, develops medium size residential sites, and manages his UK businesses. Rowan has acquired Croatian Residency in order to continue his work and life within the European Union.
Rowan now divides his time between The United Kingdom and Croatia.