The Isle of Wight Liberal Democrat Chair has called on the Island’s MP to support the House of Lords Amendment, which will guarantee the rights of EU citizens already living and working in the UK.
The Government suffered its first defeat this week when the Lords voted on the Amendment that now sees the Bill to return to the Commons for its second reading.
Nicholas Belfitt, Chair of the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats, has called on Andrew Turner MP to consider the rights and wellbeing of many Europeans who live and work on the Island and to help to secure their future, which maybe under threat if the Amendment was removed.
Nicholas has said:
“Peoples’ lives should not be the toys of governments no matter where they are from. People should feel secure in knowing they have a stable future to build on. They are not bargaining chips.
“These are our neighbours, they work along side us everyday and help support and build our society. Europeans on the Island work in many different areas and bring lots of different skills and investment into our Island. All Representatives should want to help protect those who make up our Island.
“I hope Mr Turner will agree with me that having a physical protection of the rights of those who have helped build our Island and the rest of the UK is welcomed and supported. I hope he will see that this Amendment will help secure the right kind of Brexit and that he will vote to support the Bill in the second reading.”
The Liberal Democrats voted against the first reading of the Brexit Bill in the House of Commons that will enable the Government to trigger Article 50 and the process of leaving the EU, after they argued that the Government should promise British people a referendum on the terms of the agreement.
Speaking after the House of Lords debate, Andrew Turner MP said:
“I have always wanted Britain to Leave the EU. Although most MPs wanted us to Remain – this Bill left the House of Commons without any amendments. This Bill is not about the rights of settled EU citizens living in the UK; it is about firing the starting gun for negotiations to begin. I do understand the concerns of the 3m EU citizens living UK, but I also understand the concerns of the 1m Brits living in the EU. What about their rights? Surely every government’s first duty must be to its own citizens.
“Many EU citizens already have the right to remain; by the time we leave the EU 84% will be in that position. Our Prime Minister has made it very clear she wants to guarantee the rights of the remaining 16% and has promised there will be no changes without a further vote in Parliament. But she wants similar guarantees from our EU partners in respect of British expats. It seems Brussels is determined to barter with the lives and futures of all those people. I urge worried EU citizens to contact political representatives in the countries in which they are entitled to vote to voice their concerns.
“Lib-Dems have never accepted the referendum result, and it was extraordinary to witness the antics of the Labour Party; who have two completely different policies on the same issue. Nonetheless, I believe the decision made in the Commons will prevail and Article 50 will be triggered on 15th March as planned.”
