Brexit talks begin as expats in Spain urge No.10 to protect existing rights

Brexit talks begin as expats in Spain urge No.10 to protect existing rights

Jun 21, 2017 | Articles

THE rights of 1.2 million Brits living in the EU and three million EU citizens in the UK must be ‘the highest priority’ in Brexit negotiations, campaigners have said.

British In Europe urged Brexit Secretary David Davis to protect expats currently living ‘in limbo’ by securing a deal on existing rights.

Landmark talks on Britain leaving the EU began on Monday, with the rights of British and EU citizens abroad high on the list of priorities.

EU negotiators have told British In Europe, a coalition which includes campaign groups in Spain, that current citizens’ rights should remain unchanged.

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Bremain BrexElection Briefing 6

Bremain BrexElection Briefing 6

Jun 4, 2017 | Election Weekly Briefing

Welcome to our 6th Briefing. Please scroll down to the end to read all the “snippets” we have chosen for you this week.  To read the whole story click on the link.  
Why every vote counts this election What unites Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour with grime artist JME and yours truly? It certainly isn’t musical talent. We, alongside almost every political party plus social media networks like Snapchat and Facebook, all urged any of you that had not registered to vote to do so – which, remarkably, put us at odds with our Government. (Stefano Hatfield iNews 28 May)

Battle for Number 10: Theresa May heckled as she defends ‘devastating’ cuts from Conservatives in TV showdown Theresa May launched a staunch defence of the Conservative Party’s manifesto pledges after she was ambushed by a police officer about “devastating” cuts to services on live TV. The Prime Minister also said she was “optimistic” about the upcoming Brexit negotiations and that she would walk away from the table if the deal was not right for Britain. She was jeered and heckled by audience members as she took questions from the public and Jeremy Paxman during a televised interview on Monday. (Johathan Mitchell Evening Standard 29 May)

Theresa May’s TV performance showed how her position has weakened The audience’s open laughter proved that the Tory manifesto has damaged the PM in the public’s eyes…..There was no instant poll of who won so you’ll have to settle for my impression, which was that Corbyn had the better of the exchanges. (Stephen Bush New Statesman 30 May)

EXCL Brussels prepared to postpone start of Brexit talks if Jeremy Corbyn becomes Prime Minister Brussels is prepared to postpone the start of the Brexit negotiations if Jeremy Corbyn becomes Prime Minister and needs more time to prepare for the historic event, PoliticsHome can reveal.  Michel Barnier, the European Union’s chief negotiator in the crunch talks, said last week that he hoped they would begin on 19 June……a European Commission source has admitted they would be prepared to allow a further postponement to the talks if the new government requests one. (Emilio Casalicchio Politics Home 31 May)

Tory candidate in Jo Cox’s former seat says sorry for saying ‘we’ve not yet shot anybody’  A Conservative candidate currently contesting murdered MP Jo Cox’s former seat has apologised for ‘appalling’ comments. Ann Myatt blamed a ‘tiring day’ for telling a hustings: ‘We’ve not yet shot anybody so that’s wonderful,’ in the constituency where the Labour MP and mum-of-two was murdered by a right-wing extremist. (Nicole Morley for Metro.co.uk 30 May)

Corbyn vows to meet Merkel ‘straight away’ if he becomes PM Jeremy Corbyn has vowed to fly to Berlin to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel “straight away” to negotiate Brexit if he wins the General Election. The Labour leader was asked by Sky News how he would deal with Brexit negotiations if he becomes Prime Minister next Friday, and what he would say to Mrs Merkel in particular. “Ich bin ein Corbyn” joked the Labour leader in reply at his Brexit speech in Basildon in Essex. ( Faisal Islam Political Editor Sky News 1 June)

What’s gone wrong with the Conservative campaign? Theresa May’s weaknesses and a lack of popular policies have driven the Tories backwards. Theresa May called the general election in more favourable circumstances than any prime minister since 1945. The Conservatives had a 19-point poll lead.  Labour appeared the weakest opposition for decades. And Brexit had gifted May a project to unite a fragmented right. Many anticipated a remorseless march to victory. But the election has not proceeded as the Tories intended. (George Eaton New Statesman 1 June) 

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Whatever happened to the Brexit election? The shameful pact of silence between the Tories and Labour regarding the biggest issue facing the country. Brexit, warned Theresa May this week, was “the one, fundamental, defining issue” that voters should focus on when they head to the polling stations next Thursday. She’s right, of course, but it’s hard to think of a more insincere statement coming from the mouth of this Prime Minister. (Nick Clegg New European 2 June)

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Tories believe momentum is swinging back their way (honestly) Conservative campaign HQ wants to move the conversation back to Brexit and leadership, where they believe they have the edge. They may be wrong, complacent or just out of touch, but among the most senior ranks at Conservative campaign headquarters they believe the U.K. general election is about to get boring again. (Tom McTague Politico 2 June updated 3 June)

 

UK General Election polls: Two thirds of 18 to 24 year olds plan to back Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, poll suggests Two thirds of youngsters who are certain to vote in the General Election plan to back Labour, according to a new poll. The ICM survey found 68 per cent of aged 18 to 24 year olds who are registered and say they are “certain” to vote plan to support Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour. Sixteen per cent said they would vote for the Conservatives, while 8 per cent said they would go for the Lib Dems. (Hatty Collier Evening Standard 3 June)

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Bremain BrexElection Briefing 5

Bremain BrexElection Briefing 5

May 31, 2017 | Election Weekly Briefing, News

Welcome to our 5th Briefing. Please scroll down to the end to make sure you read all the news extracts we have selected for you this week.  To read the whole story just click on the link.

As the political conversation moves further away from Brexit, Labour’s chances in the election increase With criticism of the so-called ‘dementia tax’ dominating the headlines and Corbyn focussing more in the left-wing social issues he’s known for, the gap between the two main parties appears to be closing.  Against all the odds, the general election campaign is beginning to develop into something vaguely approaching a contest. (Voices > Editorials The Independent 21 May)

 

The Remain strategy for this election is a simple one Politics is a matter of sentiment, of attitude and feeling.  Tactical voting is essential in this general election. It does not matter how big a majority a Brexiter MP has in your constituency, the national aggregate of votes cast for anti-Brexit candidates matters. And in constituencies where a combined tactical vote could oust a Conservative MP, that tactic is an absolute necessity. Give up the tribalism and antipathy of the past; matters are far too serious for that. (A C Grayling New European 22 May)

General Election 2017: who’s more likely to vote — Brexiteers or Remainers? People who voted Remain in the EU Referendum are more likely to vote in the upcoming General Election, according to a new poll. A Sunday Times/YouGov survey found that 76 per cent of those who voted to stay in the European Union say they are ‘absolutely certain’ to vote on June 8. (Anthony Pearce Yahoo News UK 22 May) 

The only constituency in the UK where you can’t vote for a man Every political party insists it is promoting women within its ranks and striving towards a more gender-balanced cabinet. But the proof of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating. And at the minute, the overall picture looks far from balanced. There are 104 constituencies in the UK where residents cannot vote for a woman to represent them in Parliament. But there is only one constituency in the whole of the UK where you cannot vote for a man: Glasgow Central. (Heather Saul additional reporting by Charlotte Leedham i News 26 May)

 

All party leaders except Theresa May and Paul Nuttall sign EU citizen pledge The Home is Here campaign asks candidates to commit to guaranteeing the rights of EU nationals. The leaders of the Tories and Ukip have refused to back a pledge to campaign for the rights of EU citizens signed by all the other mainstream parties. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson, Green co-leader Caroline Lucas and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood have all signed up to the Home is Here pledge. (Julia Rampen New Statesman 26 May)

Conservatives cancel election campaign relaunch as poll lead over Labour evaporates Tories decline to say why event was scrapped – a decision taken as news of major poll shift emerges The Conservatives cancelled the relaunch of their election campaign, as nervousness grew over the party’s evaporating lead in the opinion polls.  Faced with the likelihood of difficult questions about the Tory campaign, David Davis suddenly pulled out of a planned event in central London earlier today.  With Theresa May abroad at the G7 summit in Sicily, it meant the effective relaunch of the Tory campaign, after the three-day pause because of the Manchester bombings, was put on hold. (Rob Merrick Deputy Political Editor The Independent 26 May)

Defence secretary Michael Fallon slams Jeremy Corbyn’s terror quotes – only to realise they came from Boris Johnson Michael Fallon was left red-faced after he blasted quotes seemingly from Jeremy Corbyn on the war against terror – only to realise they were the views of Boris Johnson.  The defence secretary attacked the Labour leader’s policy on defence and views on extremism in Britain, with Mr Corbyn claiming on Friday the war on terror is “simply not working”.   (Jonathan Mitchell Evening Standard 27 May)

 

George Osborne in blistering attack on Theresa May’s manifesto pledges – ‘It’s clearly badly thought through’ George Osborne has publicly attacked key policies in Theresa May’s manifesto just days before the election as he pledged not to “pull punches” after quitting politics.  The former Tory chancellor, who was sacked by Mrs May when she became prime minister, called her social care proposals “badly thought through”.  He also said the Prime Minister’s repledged immigration target could force family members to live apart and accused her of abandoning liberal politics.  (Ben Riley-Smith Assistant Political Editor The Telegraph 27 May)

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Bremain BrexElection Briefing 4

Bremain BrexElection Briefing 4

May 22, 2017 | Articles, Election Weekly Briefing

Nicola Sturgeon: I have a ‘girl job’ – it’s called running the country Nicola Sturgeon has hit out at Theresa May for gender stereotyping after the Prime Minister suggested there were “boy jobs and girl jobs” around the house. The Scottish First Minister said that in her house, her husband did the cooking and cleaning while she did the “girl job of running the country”.  When she appeared on the BBC’s The One Show last week alongside her husband Philip, Mrs May caused controversy by suggesting there were “boy jobs and girl jobs” in their household.

(Chris Green i News 14 May)

If you’re under 18, Theresa May doesn’t want you to be allowed a vote. Theresa May has resisted calls to lower the voting age to 16, insisting young people could get involved in politics without casting a ballot.  If you are 16 or 17 you can get married, join the armed forces and if you are working you will have to pay tax. And yet you have no say when it comes to picking the next Government. And the Prime Minister thinks this is fair. (Daisy McCorgray New European 15 May)

Have your say in the online vote

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  Labour candidate Rupa Huq: We don’t want a load of Theresa May clones in Parliament “Brex-terminate, Brex-terminate,” mocks Rupa Huq in a robotic voice. It’s also an imitation of what Parliament could sound like, in her view, if too many MPs in favour of a hard Brexit are elected on 8 June. “We don’t want a load of Theresa May clones,” says the pro-EU Labour politician, who is fighting for re-selection in Ealing Central and Acton. ( Serina Sandhu i News 16 May)

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Liberal Democrats offer fresh Brexit vote at the heart of manifesto pledges The Liberal Democrats put a pledge to offer the British people a second referendum on Brexit at the heart of their manifesto. The party says they would offer a fresh vote – including the option to reject Brexit – after the terms of the deal are made clear  .It has also laid out plans for major boosts to NHS and schools funding and said they would work to build 300,000 new homes a year.  (ITV Report, 17 May)

Not Maggie May, but muddled May The new manifesto reveals a lack of coherent philosophy from Theresa May, and no clear plan for Brexit The Conservative election campaign so far has been duller than an afternoon looking at Jeremy Corbyn’s collection of pictures of manhole covers.  Blessed by an extremist opposition and a big opinion poll lead, the government is coasting, muttering platitudes like “strong and stable” and emphasising its newish prime minister, Theresa May, rather than its party name. (by Buttonwood The Economist 18 May)

Theresa May says the Conservatives stand for gender equality. Tell that to the Tory councillor who says pregnant women shouldn’t become MPs.  I wonder if anyone asked David Cameron, Matthew Hancock or Jeremy Hunt if they would be too busy changing nappies to undertake their dual roles as MPs and cabinet ministers when their babies were born? “How can a woman who is just about to give birth take on a role as MP?” This is the question a Tory councillor asked of Catherine Atkinson, the Labour candidate for Erewash. Not fifty years ago. This happened last week. (Jo Swinson Voices The Independent 19 May)

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Brexit takes centre stage in TV debate as Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn absent UKIP’s leader Paul Nuttall found himself outnumbered by 4-1 on Brexit and other issues in a party leaders’ TV debate that was snubbed by Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn.  Mr Nuttall was also isolated on immigration and grammar schools as he battled against the Lib Dems’ Tim Farron, Caroline Lucas of the Greens, the SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon and Leanne Wood of Plaid Cymru. (Jon Craig, Sky News, 19 May)

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Comedian Eddie Izzard hoping to become Labour politician The 55-year-old comedian revealed his ambition to enter the political arena in an interview with The Times Magazine. He outlined a vision of “the whole world of seven billion people all having a fair chance”.  And Izzard issued his support for Labour leader Mr Corbyn, saying he “believes in what he [Corbyn] says”. (ITV News 20 May)

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Thanks for reading. See you for the next bremain briefing next week!

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Eligible voters urged to register despite ‘votes for life’ setback

Eligible voters urged to register despite ‘votes for life’ setback

May 7, 2017 | Articles

Britons living abroad and Europeans living in the UK are suffering prolonged uncertainty while the snap election focuses on negotiations.

With just a month to go before the UK’s snap election on 8 June, Britons on the Costa del Sol who are still eligible to vote are being reminded to register to do so before 22 May.

The organisation Bremain in Spain has put together a fact sheet with links on its website (www.bremaininspain.com).

The group is one of many representing Britons living in EU countries that have complained at the current Conservative government’s failure to bring in the ‘votes for life’ bill, which previous prime minister, David Cameron, made as an election promise in 2015.

 Under current UK law, any Briton who has lived outside of the country for over 15 years is unable to vote in general elections or a referendum, an issue which led to thousands of disaffected Britons not being able to vote in last June’s in-out ballot.

No time for votes for life

Bremain in Spain said this week, “The prime minister has called a general election on a date that disables people who have lived overseas for over 15 years from voting, despite the Tories’ 2015 manifesto promises to provide ‘votes for life’ in subsequent elections.” The organisation added that June 8 “does not allow enough time to enable votes for life through an Act of Parliament”.

In the Queen’s speech to Parliament on 27 May 2015, reference was made to the Votes for Life Bill, in which the Queen said the bill would “scrap the current 15-year time limit on the voting rights of British citizens living overseas for UK parliamentary and European parliamentary elections, including provisions relating to the registration of overseas electors”.

However, with a change of prime minister and Brexit top of the agenda since this manifesto, the bill has not been passed, once again leaving thousands without a voice in what some say is the most important general election for Britons living abroad in many years.

Bremain in Spain member Margaret King told the group, “All British citizens, including those who live outside the UK, were promised votes for life before the next general election. We now have a general election looming and still no votes for us. This election will culminate in the decision to leave the EU, or not, and will affect those of us living in the EU as much as anybody living in the UK. I want my vote that was promised.”

Brexit theme

Brexit remains at the core of June’s general election, with politicians from all parties using it in their campaigns. In a speech given outside 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, prime minister Theresa May accused European officials of “hardening” their stance on a Brexit deal and spoke of “threats” by European politicians, which she believes have been timed to “influence the polls.”

Using words which chimed with those used by David Cameron before the 2016 referendum, she addressed voters saying, “The choice you now face is all about the future,” referring to the winning party’s responsibility to get the best deal out of Brexit for “this United Kingdom”.

May also claimed in her speech, “Britain’s negotiating position in Europe has been misrepresented in the continental press.”

Opposition leaders immediately hit back, with Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party saying, “She is, it appears, almost wilfully sabotaging the prospects of getting the best possible deal.”

Groups representing EU nationals living in the UK and Britons living in other European countries have shown their concerns after Wednesday’s speech, suggesting that this stance could potentially lead to more difficult negotiations over guaranteeing rights of EU citizens post Brexit.

See original article from Sur in English