Answers demanded on fate of European nationals living in UK
A METRO mayor hopeful has supported a vote in Parliament calling on the Government to allow EU citizens currently living in Halton to remain in the UK.
Steve Rotheram was to call on ministers during a debate to end uncertainty over the future of EU nationals in the country following the historic Brexit decision in last month’s referendum.
According to estimates from the House Of Commons Library for December 2014, there were 1,000 EU nationals living in Runcorn and Widnes, the lowest in the six local authorities which make up the Liverpool City Region.
There were also 1,000 living in neighbouring St Helens and Knowsley at the time, with 3,000 each in Sefton and Wirral and 14,000 in Liverpool.
The debate was forced by shadow home secretary Andy Burnham amid rising concern over the status of more than three million nationals from other EU states following Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.
On Sunday, July 3, Theresa May admitted she intends to use the EU nationals as part of ‘negotiations’ but added that ‘nobody necessarily stays anywhere forever’.
The following day, Mrs May said that she ‘hoped’ EU residents would be able to remain.
Prior to the debate, Mr Rotheram, who has entered the race to become the Liverpool City Region’s first elected metro mayor, said: “It is simply not good enough for the home secretary to say that she ‘hopes’ EU nationals will be allowed to stay. These are people who have put down roots here, with children, families, caring responsibilities, who pay taxes and contribute to our economy and society.
“They deserve much better than being used by the Government as bargaining chips.”
Labour’s motion asks the Government to allow EU citizens, residing lawfully in the UK prior to the EU Referendum, the right to stay and explicitly rules out their use as ‘bargaining chips’.
Shadow home secretary Mr Burnham added: “It was clear from Monday’s debate that she does not have the support of Tory MPs on this matter.
“She should listen to them, to the millions of people worried about the future and remove the uncertainty now.”