Those who have chosen to make the UK their home deserve greater transparency about their position, as Katie Newbury explains
- There is nothing in the plans set out so far which suggests an immigration system incorporating EU citizens would be any less restrictive or more welcoming.
- We do know that any deal to secure the rights of EU nationals in the UK would be contingent on an agreement with the EU27 guaranteeing reciprocal rights for British citizens.
The prime minister has been clear that her strategy for Brexit negotiations will be to maintain the element of surprise by disclosing as little as possible. The strategy was manifest in both her speech on 17 January and in the White Paper published this month.
While scant on details, these have represented the clearest indication yet that free movement of persons will not feature in any post-Brexit deal. The government’s focus on controlling immigration has been tempered with platitudes regarding the UK continuing to attract the brightest and best and an “openness” to international talent.
