European Parliament consider plans for Brits opposed to Brexit to remain EU citizens

EU citizens: Plans being considered by the European Parliament could see Brits remain EU citizens
PA
Jamie Bullen9 November 2016
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Brits opposed to Brexit could be offered a route to remain EU citizens under new plans being considered by the European Parliament.

A proposal, which has been put before a parliamentary committee, would allow citizens of former member states the chance to apply for “associate citizenship”.

It means Brits could be able to keep benefits afforded to EU citizens such as free movement across the union and a vote in European Parliament elections.

The plan, proposed by Luxembourg MEP Charles Goerens, will be considered by the European Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee.

The group is drawing up a report with recommendations on “Possible evolutions of and adjustments to the current institutional set-up of the European Union”.

But the plan sparked anger among Brexit campaigners in Britain who argued it would discriminate against Leave voters.

Although terms of Britain’s exit from the EU have yet to be revealed it is likely Brits will lose the automatic right to live and work in the EU after Brexit is triggered.

Jayne Adye, director of the Get Britain Out campaign, said: “This is an outrage. The EU is now attempting to divide the great British public at the exact moment we need unity.

“17.4 million people voted to Leave the EU on 23 June and as a result the UK as a whole will get Brexit.

“Brexit means laws which impact the people of the UK will be created by accountable politicians in Westminster.

“It is totally unacceptable for certain citizens in the UK to subject themselves to laws which are created by politicians who are not accountable the British people as a whole.

“Discriminating against people based on their political views shows there are no depths the EU will not sink to.”

The Government is currently embroiled in a legal dispute over when it can trigger Article 50, the legal process for Britain exiting the EU.

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