Thangam Debbonaire
MP for Bristol West
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Yesterday during the Oral Questions for the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, I challenged the Secretary of State about the government’s treatment of EU citizens, from the despatch box.
This is disgraceful. The Conservatives have refused to provide paper proof of status for EU citizens, rejected Labour’s proposal to grant automatic status to people who have been living in the UK for years, and won’t acknowledge or reduce the high cost of applying for citizenship.
The Tories say they want to have a close relationship with the EU after Brexit. For so many reasons keeping our close relationship is vital, and I have constantly campaigned for this. So why are they risking it through treating EU citizens as if they are second-rate citizens? It goes without saying that EU citizens living in the UK must feel truly valued and welcomed.
Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU disregarded my question. But it is true that this issue has not been addressed in any meaningful way. Fighting for the rights of EU citizens in Bristol West and the rest of the UK as we leave the European Union is one of my biggest priorities as your MP and as the Shadow Minister for the Department for Exiting the European Union.
My question for the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union
Yesterday during the Oral Questions for the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, I challenged the Secretary of State about the government’s treatment of EU citizens, from the despatch box.This is disgraceful. The Conservatives have refused to provide paper proof of status for EU citizens, rejected Labour’s proposal to grant automatic status to people who have been living in the UK for years, and won’t acknowledge or reduce the high cost of applying for citizenship.The Tories say they want to have a close relationship with the EU after Brexit. For so many reasons keeping our close relationship is vital, and I have constantly campaigned for this. So why are they risking it through treating EU citizens as if they are second-rate citizens? It goes without saying that EU citizens living in the UK must feel truly valued and welcomed.Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU disregarded my question. But it is true that this issue has not been addressed in any meaningful way. Fighting for the rights of EU citizens in Bristol West and the rest of the UK as we leave the European Union is one of my biggest priorities as your MP and as the Shadow Minister for the Department for Exiting the European Union.
Posted by Thangam Debbonaire on Friday, January 10, 2020