Blue and gold passports when Brexit takes effect

HALTON residents will be able to get their hands on blue and gold passports after the UK leaves the European Union (EU) in 2019.

After Brexit, the UK travel document will no longer be required to conform to EU standards.

A Home Office spokesman said in a move to ‘ symbolise our national identity’, the cover will be changing from the standard EU burgundy colour to a blue and gold design.

Immigration minister Brandon Lewis said: “Leaving the EU gives us a unique opportunity to restore our national identity and forge a new path for ourselves in the world.

“That is why I am delighted to announce that the British passport will be returning to the iconic blue and gold design after we have left the European Union in 2019.

“It will also be one of the most secure travel documents in the world, with a raft of new security measures to protect against fraud and forgery.”

“For example, the current paper-based picture page will be replaced with a new, superstrength plastic polycarbonate ● A photo issued by the Home Office of how a British passport will look after Brexit (left) and an old British passport and a burgundy UK passport in the European Union style format material that will be more difficult to alter.”

New blue and gold passports will be issued from October 2019, when the new passport contract begins, to those renewing or applying for a new passport.

In the borough’s referendum in June 2016, 57.4% of the electorate in Runcorn and Widnes voted to leave the EU, compared to 42.6% of those who wanted the UK to remain.

The Leave campaign in Halton gained 37,327 votes compared to the 27,678 people who backed remaining in the EU.

Turnout in Runcorn and Widnes was 68.26% and 42 ballot papers were rejected.

Across the North West, 1,966,925 people voted to leave the EU, compared to the 1,699,020 who wanted the UK to remain within the politico-economic union.

The newly designed passports will be introduced in a phased approach to save money.

After the UK leaves the EU, burgundy passports will continue to be issued but with no reference to the EU.

There is no need for British passport holders to do anything ahead of their current passport renewal date.

The blue cover is a return to the original appearance of the British passport, with the colour first used in 1921.

It remained the colour of choice until the UK joined the EU and the burgundy common format colour was agreed and adopted.

Further details about the new passport will be announced when a supplier is appointed in spring next year.