British Prime Minister Theresa May wants to end the wrangling over the Brexit rights of expats – but claims European politicians refuse to come to an agreement about their future outside of talks over the UK’s deal with the EU.
Around 4 million people are affected – roughly split down the middle with 2 million British expats living in the EU and a similar number of EU expats in the UK.
Now May has made public Britain will leave the single market, freedom of movement is not an issue as passing between countries becomes a border matter.
She told her audience of diplomats that some EU politicians refused to discuss a bilateral agreement guaranteeing the rights of expats already in the UK or EU.
“Britain wants to guarantee the right of EU citizens in the UK at an early stage if there is a reciprocal deal for UK citizens in Europe – some EU nations accept this will others don’t,” she said.
No halfway house
May went on to warn that although Britain was a multicultural, open and tolerant nation which would always welcome the brightest and best, the public had told politicians levels of immigration were too high with their referendum vote.
“The British people are demanding controls on the numbers of EU citizens coming to the country and she will deliver on that,” she said.
She added that Britain could not control immigration without stopping the free movement of people between the country and the EU.
May explained that although Britain would be a partner, friend and ally to Europe, the government could not accept any partial or associate membership of the EU.
“Britain cannot be half in and half out,” she said.
No relief for expats
Where does this leave British expats in the EU?
Despite the speech laying out her intentions, May has said nothing that changes the status of British expats across Europe.
Expats in the EU before the triggering of Article 50 are still uncertain of their futures. Their rights for healthcare, pensions and to keep their homes remain undecided.
Unless politicians come to an agreement, the consensus seems that politicians on all sides are happy to stoke up the doubt and continue to use them as bargaining chips.
