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Bremain in Spain comments as part of British in Europe on the Brexit Negotiations

01 February 2018
by eub2 -- last modified 01 February 2018

Bremain in Spain, a group campaigning for the UK to remain in the European Union and to protect the rights of British migrants living in Spain, comments as part of the British in Europe coalition of citizens' groups re the latest EU negotiations.


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Sue Wilson, Chair of Bremain in Spain and steering committee member of British in Europe, says: "It's hard to raise the subject of citizens' rights without sounding like a broken record - the reason being that nothing much has changed. Almost 20 months after the fateful Brexit referendum, EU and UK citizens who took advantage of their freedom of movement rights are still living in limbo. While it's true that many issues have been discussed and agreed in principle, many important issues remain outstanding, such as freedom of movement, economic rights and recognition of qualifications."

British in Europe today issued its latest response to the EU negotiations. The response was issued jointly with the 3Million, which represents EU citizens living in the UK. The timing of the release coincides with meetings being held in Brussels today, including a live Facebook broadcast featuring British in Europe, the 3Million and Guy Verhofstadt.

Wilson continues: "The joint response highlights the 'glaring shortcomings, omissions and ambiguities' regarding citizens' rights. The failures to resolve all outstanding issues have done nothing to assuage the feelings of anxiety and fear felt by Britons in the UK or EU citizens in the UK."

She adds: "Even if all our demands had been met, and promises that nothing would change been kept, we would still feel unsettled. No amount of promises, without written guarantees, would answer the question that everyone is avoiding answering - what happens in the event of a 'no deal'?"

Jane Golding, Chair of British in Europe says: "The negotiations are not just about legal and political details but have direct repercussions on the lives of real people. We are citizens who seized all the opportunities that the rights derived from EU citizenship and the fundamental freedoms have given us. And yet so far, free movement for British citizens has not been discussed."

Wilson concludes: "We'll continue to highlight these issues on both sides of the Channel. We cannot allow talks of trade or transition to push our concerns into the background. The damaging economic effects of Brexit are becoming increasingly obvious. We must not overlook the effects that Brexit is already having on its citizens."

Joint BIE / 3Million response

Bremain in Spain is a group campaigning for the UK to remain in the European Union and to protect the rights of British migrants living and working in Spain. Run by a team of volunteers and chaired by Sue Wilson - a resident of the Valencian Community - the group advocates a tolerant and outward-looking society. It believes this is best achieved by the UK remaining a member of the EU. Bremain in Spain is part of the British in Europe coalition of 10 UK citizens' groups across the EU. It is also affiliated to Britain for Europe and European Movement.

Bremain in Spain
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