LETTER: Save European Citizenship

After the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU earlier this year, over 16 million '˜remain' voters face having their right to live and work across the EU taken away from them.
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As EU citizens, we are entitled to visa-free travel across the 27 member states, we have the freedom to live and work anywhere on the continent, and we have the same access to all essential services in EU countries as people from each of the member states do. There is absolutely no precedent where people have lost citizenship of one nation without either a war or that nation ceasing to exist.

Therefore, it is vital that the Government commits to protecting our EU citizenship in any Brexit negotiations.

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Charles Goerens MEP from Luxembourg has tabled a constitutional amendment asking that the EU consider adding the option of an associate citizenship for those who feel aligned to the European project but are members of former Member States.

In addition to this, the amendment also considers that they be extended the freedom of movement currently enjoyed by EU passport holders in the UK and abroad, and a vote in EU elections.

Amendment 882: Advocates to insert in the Treaties a European associate citizenship for those who feel and wish to be part of the European project but are nationals of a former Member State; offers these associate citizens the rights of freedom of movement and to reside on its territory as well as being represented in the Parliament through a vote in the European elections on the European lists.

We’re asking that the responsible parties, including Prime Minister Theresa May and European Council President Donald Tusk, work to ensure that any Brexit negotiations allow for those who voted to remain in June do not have their European citizenship stripped from them, and that British citizens are able to keep and renew their EU passports going forward as they may wish, and readers are invited to sign a petition at http://www.saveourcitizenship.eu/ to that end.

Stewart Rayment

Hastings Open Britain

St Helen’s Crescent

Hastings

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

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It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.

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