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Ring-fencing Britons in France rights ‘remains vital’
The delay to Brexit Day prolongs uncertainty for Britons in France, campaign groups say – so “ring-fencing” their rights remains the priority.
British MPs voted to ask the Prime Minister to seek a UK/EU commitment to ring-fencing before Brexit, but the EU said it did not want “mini deals” as it would imply the negotiation had failed. Mrs May later wrote to the EU saying the UK was open to discussing ring-fencing.
A European Council spokesman said Mrs May did not raise the issue at the summit in March.
British Community Committee of France’s Christopher Chantrey said: “It is just three weeks more anguish.
“She’s unlikely to get the deal through, and if she does, she will need new legislation implementing it and there could be another block. Or she must get the MPs to agree to another proposal, which will be hard. We must salvage the rights part of the deal.”
BHOV founder Debbie Williams said a referendum may be the solution but she worries over the 15-year voting ban and whether Remain would even be a ballot choice.
She said: “Ring-fencing is the fairest solution if we face no-deal. Whatever happens, we stand to lose rights and many people may fall through the net.”
n The EU green card plan (see February 2019 edition) is being put forward by MEPs for further study by the EU.
