Backing Britons in EU

There was little in the Government’s document concerning EU citizenship rights after Brexit that was not outlined by Theresa May in Brussels last week. As the Prime Minister said, it amounts to a “fair and serious” offer as part of the negotiations to secure the UK’S departure in 2019.

But we are not hearing what the EU is prepared to guarantee in return. Mrs May has been criticised for not promising to underpin the rights of three million EU citizens unilaterally. But the Prime Minister is right to insist upon reciprocal arrangements for more than one million British nationals living on the continent before committing the Government to irrevocable decisions.

This is not about using EU nationals who came here in good faith as “bargaining chips”. It is about securing the status of Britons who are living overseas, also in good faith. What is it about the political Left in the UK that they always uphold the rights of foreign nationals over and above those of British people?

The fact is that no one now here will be forced to leave after Brexit. A new “settled status” arrangement will even allow the families of EU citizens to join them. EU citizens who remain will have the same rights as British nationals and will, should they choose, eventually be able to apply for a UK passport. There are details around cut-off dates and income requirements that need to be ironed out, but the benign intentions of Britain towards EU citizens are clear.

If the EU wants the issue laid to rest quickly, they can make a reciprocal offer – and drop their absurd demand that the EU court’s jurisdiction should extend to the UK after Brexit.